furthering debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "furthering debate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of promoting or advancing a discussion or argument on a particular topic. Example: "The conference aims at furthering debate on climate change policies among experts and policymakers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In addition, the global overexpression of miR-21 does not induce tumors, whereas tissue-specific overexpression does [12], furthering debate over whether miR-21 up-regulation drives or accompanies tumorigenesis [70].

Chinese Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

One or two people seemed more intent on winning the debate than furthering understanding.

The Guardian - Opinion

The report provides data for policy makers, including Parliamentarians, to consider and debate various options in furthering children's welfare, building Myanmar's human capital and promoting social cohesion and inclusive growth.

Unicef

Both Bill Maher and Sam Harris, on that now famous debate with Affleck, cited certain facts with the aim of furthering liberal principles; not promoting fear for a political objective or furthering prejudice because of disdain towards Islam.

Huffington Post

Much of the public and political debate on global warming has focused on finding substitutes for fossil fuels, reducing emissions that contribute to greenhouse gases and furthering negotiations toward an international climate treaty — not potential security challenges.

The New York Times - Science

For services to furthering UK/UAE relations.

The Guardian

For services to furthering UK/Nigerian relations.

The Guardian

For services to furthering British interests in Mauritania.

The Guardian

This resistance will have the unintended consequence of furthering research".

The New York Times

For services to furthering UK interests in South America.

The Guardian

For services to furthering UK/China educational interests.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "furthering debate", ensure that your writing clearly indicates the specific topic or issue being debated. This provides context and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "furthering debate" in vague contexts. Always specify what the debate is about to prevent ambiguity. For example, instead of "the goal is furthering debate", specify "the goal is furthering debate on climate change policy".

Linguistic Context

Furthering debate functions as a gerund phrase, often used as a noun or part of a noun phrase. It describes the act of promoting or advancing a discussion. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "furthering debate" is a grammatically correct and usable gerund phrase that describes the act of promoting or advancing a discussion, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings, with a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, ensure to clearly specify the topic being debated to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "advancing the discussion" or "promoting dialogue" may offer nuanced options for different communicative purposes. By mastering its usage, writers can effectively convey their intentions to contribute to and progress meaningful discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advancing the discussion

Replaces "debate" with "discussion", focusing on a more general exchange of ideas. It sounds less adversarial.

promoting the discussion

Similar to "advancing the discussion", but emphasizes active promotion rather than progress.

fostering dialogue

Replaces "debate" with "dialogue", suggesting a more collaborative and less confrontational approach.

stimulating discussion

Focuses on initiating or energizing a discussion, rather than simply moving it forward.

encouraging discussion

Suggests creating a supportive environment for discussion, rather than directly advancing it.

developing the debate

Focuses on expanding the scope and complexity of the debate.

propelling the debate

Suggests a more forceful and rapid advancement of the debate.

escalating the discussion

Implies an intensification of the discussion, potentially leading to more heated exchanges.

intensifying the debate

Similar to escalating, but focuses on increasing the intensity of existing arguments.

cultivating discourse

Emphasizes the careful and sustained development of a formal discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "furthering debate" in a sentence?

You can use "furthering debate" to describe actions that promote or advance a discussion on a particular topic, such as "The conference aims at furthering debate on economic inequality".

What are some alternatives to "furthering debate"?

Alternatives include phrases like "advancing the discussion", "promoting dialogue", or "stimulating discussion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "furthering debate" a formal or informal expression?

"Furthering debate" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. However, consider the audience and the specific topic to make sure that the expression is appropriate. For example, in a formal academic paper, the word "debate" may be more common.

What is the difference between "furthering debate" and "encouraging debate"?

"Furthering debate" implies actively moving a discussion forward, while "encouraging debate" focuses on creating an environment where discussion is welcomed and supported. The former is about progression, the latter about initiation.