first point of debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first point of debate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce the initial topic or issue that is being discussed or argued in a debate or discussion. Example: "The first point of debate is whether climate change is primarily caused by human activity or natural processes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

How we do that is the first point of debate.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A second point of debate concerns the complex issue of Olympic citizenship.

Comparative Migration Studies

"Dortmund are my first point of contact.

Independent

Their first point of contact is booze.

The New Yorker

(First point of agreement).

Huffington Post

A second major point of debate is whether the Hox genes of cnidarians function in the same fashion as those in bilaterians.

eLife

In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, a focal point of debate in moral philosophy centered on a version of the Euthyphro problem between those who sided with Grotius and Leibniz in holding that moral goodness and obligation do not depend on God's will and those who held the opposite view, that moral goodness and obligation are as they are as a result of God's free choice.

SEP

The third point of contrast is historical.

SEP

Those eligible to attend the annual meeting were a point of debate, and at sometimes contention, through the first 40 years of CRWAD.

Animal Health Research Reviews

One point of debate among the British wing was whether, for its second decade, it was right to proceed with a planned programme of relatively rapid expansion.

The Guardian

Taxes have also been a major point of debate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "first point of debate" to clearly signal the commencement of a discussion, ensuring participants understand the initial topic to be addressed. This helps to structure the conversation and prevent early tangents.

Common error

Avoid treating the "first point of debate" as the only point. Remember that a debate involves multiple viewpoints and evolving arguments; the initial point is merely the starting ground.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first point of debate" functions as a noun phrase that introduces the opening topic or issue in a discussion or argument. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable. It sets the stage for subsequent arguments and counterarguments.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first point of debate" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to introduce the initial topic or issue in a discussion. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its function is to clearly signal the beginning of an argument, guiding participants and providing structure. While the phrase is used across various contexts, it is particularly prevalent in news, media, and scientific writing. To enhance clarity, alternatives such as "main point of contention" or "initial argument" may be used depending on the nuances you want to express. Remember that the "first point of debate" is merely the starting ground and not the entire debate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main point of contention

Emphasizes that this is the chief disagreement.

primary contention

Highlights the disagreement or dispute at the heart of the debate.

preliminary matter of debate

Uses 'preliminary' to denote the initial nature of the matter.

initial argument

Focuses on the argumentative aspect of the debate.

starting point for discussion

Highlights that the 'point' acts as a foundation.

initial issue for discussion

Replaces 'debate' with 'discussion', softening the confrontational aspect.

opening argument

Indicates the argument that is made first in a debate.

original question debated

Emphasizes the chronological aspect of the question being debated.

central question under discussion

Focuses on the questioning nature of the debate.

principal subject of argument

Replaces point with subject, for a broader take.

FAQs

How can I use "first point of debate" in a sentence?

You can use "first point of debate" to introduce the initial topic or issue being discussed, such as "The "first point of debate" is whether the proposed policy will actually reduce carbon emissions".

What is an alternative to "first point of debate"?

Alternatives include "main point of contention", "primary issue for discussion", or "initial argument", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the first debate point" instead of "first point of debate"?

While "the first debate point" isn't grammatically incorrect, ""first point of debate"" is the more common and natural-sounding phrasing.

What's the difference between "first point of debate" and "main point of debate"?

The ""first point of debate"" refers specifically to the initial issue brought up, whereas "main point of debate" refers to the most significant issue being argued, which may emerge later in the discussion.