how much debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how much debate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the extent or level of debate on a particular topic or issue. Example: "There has been much debate about the impact of climate change on global economies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Where do you draw the line?" The unwillingness to choose sides reflects how much debate over what to teach has changed.

The New York Times

Most of these folks had never been to school, but the images they took tell their story and how much debate they elicited in their presentation attests to the power of an image.

The Guardian

As an indication of the divisiveness that has emerged on the subject, party leaders in the House spent the entire day wrangling over a procedural rule governing how much debate would be allowed on the homeland security bill.

The New York Times

"I wonder when these proposals [to hide debt, fabricate profits, etc.] were put on the table how much debate there was".

Forbes

The Harper government put strict limits on how much debate the bill was allowed to receive, for the sake of getting the legislation passed as fast as humanly possible.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

As for intersectionality – when one inequality overlaps with others – it is a sign of how much debates have moved to the right that its relevance is even being debated.

The Guardian - Opinion

What's striking is how much the debate within Iran mirrors that in Washington.

The New York Times

What happened in Greenwich reflects how much the debate over special education has changed.

The New York Times

In "Letter-Opening at the Post-Office," Mazzini revealed just how much the debate had been informed by Bentham's arguments about publicity.

The New Yorker

It was an Alice-through-the-looking-glass moment that revealed how much the debate over the deficit in recent years was not, really, about the deficit.

The New York Times

Listening to the first of this year's Reith Lectures (Radio 4) yesterday, delivered by historian Professor Jonathan Spence, it was striking how much the debate following the lecture dominated proceedings.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how much debate", ensure the context clearly identifies the subject being debated. This helps avoid ambiguity and provides focus for the reader.

Common error

Avoid assuming the reader knows the specifics of the debate. Briefly introduce the topic to provide necessary context for understanding the extent of the discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how much debate" functions as a relative clause or noun phrase functioning as an adjective, modifying a noun. It quantifies the extent of disagreement or discussion surrounding a particular topic. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms the phrase's correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how much debate" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe the extent of disagreement or discussion on a specific topic. Ludwig confirms its correctness and applicability across various contexts. It is particularly common in news and media, science, and wiki sources, reflecting its versatility. When using the phrase, clarify the subject matter to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "extent of the debate" or "level of discussion" may offer greater precision depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extent of the debate

Replaces "how much" with "extent of the", focusing on the scope of the debate.

degree of controversy

Substitutes "debate" with "controversy", highlighting the disagreement aspect and "how much" with degree of.

level of discussion

Replaces "debate" with the more neutral term "discussion", focusing on the depth of conversation.

intensity of the argument

Changes "debate" to "argument", emphasizing the strength and passion behind the discussion.

scope of the disagreement

Uses "disagreement" instead of "debate", highlighting the lack of consensus, and 'how much' with scope.

quantity of deliberation

Replaces "debate" with "deliberation", focusing on the careful consideration involved, and emphasizing a measured approach.

volume of discussion

Replaces "debate" with "discussion" and "how much" with "volume", focusing on the amount of discussion.

amount of controversy

Replaces "debate" with "controversy" and "how much" with "amount", focusing on the degree of disputation.

depth of the dispute

Changes "debate" to "dispute", indicating a more formal or serious disagreement and 'how much' with depth.

frequency of argument

Replaces "debate" with "argument" and "how much" with "frequency", focusing on how often arguments happen.

FAQs

How can I use "how much debate" in a sentence?

You can use "how much debate" to discuss the extent of disagreement or discussion on a topic. For example: "The article examines "how much debate" there is surrounding the new policy."

What are some alternatives to "how much debate"?

Alternatives include phrases like "extent of the debate", "degree of controversy", or "level of discussion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify the topic when using "how much debate"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the topic clarifies the subject of the debate. Without it, the sentence might lack context and leave the reader wondering what's being debated.

What's the difference between "how much debate" and "how much discussion"?

"How much debate" implies a stronger element of disagreement or opposition, while "how much discussion" suggests a more neutral exchange of ideas. The choice depends on the specific context and the nature of the interaction.