highly debated

USAGE SUMMARY

"highly debated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are discussing a subject or issue that has been widely discussed or argued about. For example: "The rights of workers is a highly debated issue in many countries around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These tariffs are highly debated.

Energy Policy

In particular, two aspects are highly debated.

Journal of Hydrology

At the time, however, these were highly debated theories.

Columbia University

However, their shared role in cardiovascular risk remains highly debated.

American Journal of Kidney Diseases

And then we come to the highly debated question about the vacancy rate.

Cornell University

Serge Gainsbourg is still a highly debated, yet widely adored character.

The Guardian - Music

"This is still an open, and highly debated, question," Bowman says.

The Guardian

Nowadays, the sustainable management of wastewater materials is a highly debated issue around the world.

Construction and Building Materials

The precise views that disqualify a juror are a highly debated issue.

Britannica

If and how the heart regenerates after an injury event is highly debated.

Nature

The second dimension — that is, the "right" level of payment — is highly debated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "highly debated", ensure that the context clearly indicates the subject or issue being disputed. Provide enough background for the reader to understand the different viewpoints.

Common error

Avoid using "highly debated" when the topic is simply complex or requires further research. Reserve the phrase for issues with genuinely conflicting viewpoints and significant disagreement among experts or the public.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly debated" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It qualifies a noun, indicating that the noun is the subject of considerable discussion and disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

25%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "highly debated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase, as verified by Ludwig AI. It serves to emphasize the presence of significant disagreement and discussion surrounding a specific topic. Its prevalence in scientific, news, and academic sources indicates its suitability for formal and neutral registers. When using "highly debated", ensure that the context accurately reflects the level of contention and provide sufficient background for readers to understand the various viewpoints. Alternatives such as "strongly debated" and "widely contested" can offer similar nuances depending on the specific emphasis desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strongly debated

Focuses on the intensity of the debate.

widely contested

Emphasizes the broad disagreement among many parties.

fiercely argued

Highlights the passionate and intense nature of the arguments.

hotly disputed

Suggests a debate filled with strong emotion and potential conflict.

much discussed

Indicates the topic has received a significant amount of discussion, though not necessarily contentious.

open to debate

Highlights the topic's susceptibility to discussion but doesn't emphasize existing conflict.

controversial

Emphasizes the divisive nature of the topic, often with ethical or moral implications.

subject to debate

Indicates that the topic is appropriate for discussion and disagreement.

under discussion

A more neutral phrase indicating the topic is currently being talked about, without necessarily implying strong disagreement.

contentious issue

Shifts the focus to the topic itself being a source of disagreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "highly debated" to describe a topic with substantial disagreement, such as: "The effectiveness of the new policy is a "highly debated" issue among economists."

What are some alternatives to "highly debated"?

Alternatives include "strongly debated", "widely contested", or "controversial", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "highly debated" in formal writing?

Yes, "highly debated" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in academic or professional contexts where nuanced discussions are expected. However, ensure the context supports the claim of significant debate.

What's the difference between "highly debated" and "much discussed"?

"Highly debated" implies active disagreement and conflicting viewpoints, while "much discussed" simply means a topic has received significant attention, without necessarily implying contention.