greatly debated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greatly debated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a topic or issue that has been the subject of significant discussion or disagreement among people. Example: "The effectiveness of the new policy has been greatly debated among experts in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The function of sebum has been greatly debated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That conclusion was greatly debated, with critics raising questions about methods.

The New York Times

Minorities have greatly debated this issue and do not "laugh" about it.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The scientific explanation of speleothem δ18O in Chinese monsoon region is a greatly debated issue.

Journal of Hydrology

A topic that's being greatly debated all over the country concerns the nation's morals.

The New Yorker

The effects that media can have on task performance have been greatly debated over the years.

Computers & Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The China trade pact Congress is currently debating greatly enhances the ability of U.S. companies to invest in Internet development in China.

The New York Times

Whether this organism would be a new life form or a greatly modified bacterium could be debated, but Dr. Venter told The Associated Press, "The description of this being a modification rather than making new life is probably correct".

The New York Times

This eliminates or greatly reduces debate when course changes become necessary and urgent.

Harvard Business Review

Treatment strategies for hypertension post-AIS are centered on the aim to salvage the ischemic penumbra [9], but the management of hypertension in patients with acute ischemic stroke has been greatly under debate, with no clear consensus on how much or how soon to lower the pressure [10].

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

In this neither entertaining nor enlightening manner, of course, the debate greatly resembled, well, the debates of the pre-YouTube era.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "greatly debated" when you want to convey that there are strong, conflicting opinions or significant uncertainty surrounding a topic.

Common error

Avoid using "greatly debated" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler phrases like "much discussed" or "argued about" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greatly debated" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is used to describe a subject that is the focus of considerable discussion and disagreement. It emphasizes the extent and intensity of the debate surrounding the topic.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "greatly debated" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe topics characterized by significant discussion and disagreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys the presence of conflicting opinions and invites further examination of the issue. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts, "greatly debated" maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for formal writing. While alternatives like "heavily contested" or "widely argued" exist, "greatly debated" offers a clear and direct way to signal the contentious nature of a subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heavily contested

Changes the verb to "contested" emphasizing the act of challenging or disputing.

widely argued

Replaces "debated" with "argued", suggesting a more formal or structured disagreement.

fiercely disputed

Emphasizes the intensity of the disagreement using "fiercely".

hotly debated

Uses "hotly" to convey a sense of passionate or heated debate.

extensively discussed

Shifts the focus to the breadth of the conversation rather than the conflict.

subject to considerable debate

Rephrases to highlight the 'subject' and the 'considerable' amount of debate.

much-disputed

Uses a hyphenated adjective form.

contentious issue

Shifts from the act of debating to describing the subject itself as contentious.

controversial topic

Focuses on the controversial nature of the topic.

matter of great dispute

Highlights the "dispute" emphasizing its significant.

FAQs

How can I use "greatly debated" in a sentence?

Use "greatly debated" to describe a topic with significant disagreement. For example: "The effectiveness of the new policy is "greatly debated" among experts."

What are some alternatives to "greatly debated"?

Alternatives include "heavily contested", "widely argued", or "fiercely disputed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "much debated" or "greatly debated"?

Both "much debated" and "greatly debated" are correct. "Greatly debated" implies a higher degree of contention or significance than "much debated".

What makes a topic "greatly debated"?

A topic becomes "greatly debated" when there are strong, conflicting viewpoints, significant uncertainty, and often high stakes involved. This can be due to ethical, scientific, or political reasons.