have been debated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been debated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a topic or issue has been discussed or argued about over a period of time. Example: "The implications of climate change have been debated extensively in scientific circles for decades."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Her intentions have been debated ever since.

The Guardian

These sort of decisions should have been debated first".

The New York Times

Goldsmith's flaws and merits have been debated elsewhere at length.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Serious issues have been debated," Mr. M reminds the audience.

The New York Times

The ethics of this electronic borrowing have been debated endlessly.

The New York Times - Arts

But Platini's latent doubts appear not to have been debated within FIFA.

The New York Times - Sports

These facts have been debated for years, in an atmosphere clouded by emotion and politics.

The New Yorker

The final-status issues of borders, Jerusalem and refugees have been debated ad infinitum.

The Economist

The issues have been debated extensively in recent years after several high-profile court cases.

The New York Times

Rules controlling land purchases by interests based overseas have been debated here several times.

The New York Times

"This is a real issue that should have been debated last night," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been debated" to introduce a topic with multiple viewpoints or unresolved questions, signaling that a definitive answer may not be readily available.

Common error

Avoid using "have been debated" if the topic has only faced minor disagreements or lacks substantial opposing viewpoints. The phrase implies a significant and ongoing discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been debated" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a particular subject or issue has been the object of discussion and argument. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and widely applicable across a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

48%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been debated" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to indicate that a topic has been subject to discussion and argument, often without a clear resolution. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable across various contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related content. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the context reflects the presence of genuine debate, avoiding its application to topics with only minor disagreements. Alternatives such as "have been discussed" or "have been questioned" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuances you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been discussed

This alternative is a more general term for exchanging views on a topic without necessarily implying disagreement.

have been argued

This alternative emphasizes the presentation of different viewpoints and potential conflict.

have been contested

This alternative implies a strong disagreement and active opposition.

have been questioned

This alternative highlights the act of challenging or expressing doubt about something.

have been challenged

This alternative suggests a more forceful questioning and potential opposition.

have been deliberated

This alternative indicates a formal and careful discussion, often in a decision-making context.

have been examined

This alternative suggests a detailed investigation or analysis of a subject.

have been analyzed

This alternative emphasizes a systematic and detailed evaluation of a topic.

have been reviewed

This alternative suggests a critical assessment or evaluation of a topic.

have been considered

This alternative indicates that a topic has been thought about carefully, but not necessarily publicly or controversially.

FAQs

How can I use "have been debated" in a sentence?

You can use "have been debated" to indicate that a topic or issue has been discussed or argued about over a period of time. For example, "The ethics of artificial intelligence "have been debated" for years."

What can I say instead of "have been debated"?

You can use alternatives like "have been discussed", "have been questioned", or "have been argued" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "have been debated" or "are being debated"?

"Have been debated" suggests a discussion that has occurred over time, while "are being debated" indicates an ongoing discussion. The correct choice depends on whether the debate is still actively happening or has taken place in the past.

What's the difference between "have been debated" and "have been decided"?

"Have been debated" implies an ongoing discussion with varying opinions, while "have been decided" means a conclusion or resolution has been reached on the matter.