focus of debate

USAGE SUMMARY

"focus of debate" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when talking about a topic that is open to discussion or controversy. For example, "The focus of debate in recent years has been on the potential impact of climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In the ten years that followed, communities like mine became the focus of debate.

The New Yorker

That demand will be a major focus of debate through the coming weeks and perhaps months.

The New York Times

That, in a nutshell, was the focus of debate during the country's recently concluded round of political party conferences.

The Economist

While safety concerns have been the focus of debate, the real problem is that genetic engineering is hurting the poor.

The New York Times

Whether Bradford's numbers were aided by facing poor defenses will be a focus of debate heading into the game.

The New York Times - Sports

The stoves, which opponents say spew high volumes of pollutants, have become a focus of debate in Northern states.

The New York Times

The undercurrent is not the focus of debate, but it is often the context of the debate, said many academics and political scientists.

The New York Times

The space at building 1881, which hosted the Turner Prize exhibition and is the focus of debate, is to become offices for digital companies.

Independent

The fight over the law has drawn tens of thousands of demonstrators to the State Capitol, and the issue has become a focus of debate in numerous statehouses.

The New York Times

Up till now the main focus of debate on whether Britain could make a success of euro membership has been about monetary policy.

The Economist

Confederate symbols have been the focus of debate since nine people were killed on 17 June at a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "center of controversy" or "subject of discussion" if you want to adjust the tone or emphasis of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "focus of debate" when there's no clear disagreement. If a topic is simply being discussed without opposing viewpoints, consider using "subject of discussion" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "focus of debate" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies the central subject or issue that is being discussed or argued about. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to pinpoint the core element of contention in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "focus of debate" is a commonly used noun phrase that identifies the central issue being discussed or argued. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and sees frequent use in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly define the subject being debated. Consider alternatives like "center of controversy" or "subject of discussion" to adjust the tone or specificity. Avoid using it when there is no clear disagreement, and be mindful of the register, as it is generally considered neutral. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for different types of written communication, and the advice it provides is consistent with this conclusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

center of controversy

Replaces "focus" with "center" and "debate" with "controversy", emphasizing the contentious nature of the topic.

subject of discussion

Substitutes "focus of debate" with a more neutral term, indicating a topic being talked about without necessarily implying disagreement.

point of contention

Highlights the disagreement aspect, replacing "focus" with "point" and "debate" with "contention".

matter under discussion

Similar to "subject of discussion", but slightly more formal.

core issue

Simplifies the phrase to its core meaning, emphasizing the central problem or topic.

central theme

Shifts the emphasis to the main topic or idea being discussed.

key question

Highlights the interrogative aspect, implying a significant question that needs answering.

bone of contention

An idiomatic expression indicating a subject about which there is strong disagreement.

hot topic

Informal expression for a subject that is currently very popular and controversial.

area of disagreement

Directly states that there is disagreement over a specific area or topic.

FAQs

How can I use "focus of debate" in a sentence?

You can use "focus of debate" to highlight the main issue being discussed or argued about, for example, "The environmental impact of the project is the "focus of debate" among community members".

What can I say instead of "focus of debate"?

You can use alternatives like "center of controversy", "subject of discussion", or "point of contention" depending on the specific context.

Is "focus of debate for" grammatically correct?

While grammatically understandable, it's less common. Usually, you'd say "the debate is focused on" or "the focus of the debate is on".

What's the difference between "focus of debate" and "focus of discussion"?

"Focus of debate" implies disagreement or controversy, while "focus of discussion" simply means the main topic being talked about, without necessarily implying conflicting viewpoints.