ignite debate

USAGE SUMMARY

"ignite debate" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something is likely to cause discussion and disagreement. For example: "The proposal to increase taxes will likely ignite debate among the members of city council."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

She wants to ignite debate about one of the oldest, rawest issues among African-Americans.

The New York Times - Books

If Finland, Russia's immediate neighbour, feels twitchy enough to think about joining NATO, that may ignite debate in Sweden.

The Economist

The significance of this dialogue is to ignite debate about the role, potentially informing policy for the improved support of the role within the Australian nursing landscape.

Nurse Education Today

"My purpose was to ignite debate about the safety on our roads and the number of Kenyans dying … which is something we cannot ignore," he said.

The Guardian

In addition to the many recent deaths that remain mysterious, some of the deaths from the seventies and eighties continue to ignite debate.

The New Yorker

The best satirists ignite debate by dragging logical arguments to their illogical conclusions, and Stanhope's provocative proposals make him a Jonathan Swift for the 9/11 generation.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Coron "Interstellar had the unique ability to reach a large audience, do well at the box office and ignite debates between casual filmgoers and buffs alike.

The Guardian - Film

The J. C. decision has ignited debate.

The New York Times - Style

The dig, viewed by the public, ignited debate.

The New York Times - Arts

The panel found no evidence that a popular vaccine causes autism, a subject that has ignited debate for years.

The New York Times

Though largely seen as symbolic, the legislation has already ignited debate over pension reform and transit financing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ignite debate" when you want to convey the idea that something is likely to cause a significant and potentially heated discussion. Be mindful of the intensity of the word "ignite", which implies a more forceful and immediate reaction than simply "start" or "initiate" a debate.

Common error

Avoid using "ignite debate" when the context is neutral or positive. "Ignite" suggests a spark or conflict, making it unsuitable for scenarios where you simply want to introduce a topic for discussion without implying disagreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ignite debate" functions as a verb phrase, where "ignite" is a transitive verb and "debate" is its direct object. It describes the action of initiating or intensifying a discussion, often one characterized by disagreement or contention, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ignite debate" is a grammatically correct and fairly common expression used to describe the act of starting or intensifying a discussion, particularly one involving disagreement. According to Ludwig, its examples show that it's frequently used in news media, science, and academic contexts, implying a neutral register suitable for formal writing. The phrase suggests a more forceful initiation of discussion compared to alternatives such as "prompt discussion" or "trigger discussion". While appropriate for formal settings, care should be taken not to overuse it in neutral scenarios, as the word "ignite" carries connotations of spark and conflict. Overall, it's an effective phrase when the goal is to emphasize the potential for significant and potentially heated debate surrounding a particular issue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spark controversy

Focuses more on the negative aspect of the debate, emphasizing disagreement and conflict.

trigger discussion

Emphasizes the initiation of a conversation without necessarily implying strong disagreement.

foster discussion

Highlights the act of nurturing or encouraging a debate.

stimulate discourse

Uses more formal language to denote the encouragement of structured conversation.

prompt discussion

Similar to "trigger discussion", but emphasizes direct causation.

provoke controversy

Stronger connotation of inciting disagreement or scandal.

set off a debate

Idiomatic expression that means to initiate a debate.

give rise to debate

Emphasizes the consequential nature of starting a debate.

generate discussion

Highlights the creation of a debate.

fuel the controversy

Suggests the debate already exists but is being made more intense.

FAQs

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

You can use "ignite debate" to describe actions, events, or statements that are likely to cause significant discussion and disagreement. For example: "The senator's proposal to cut taxes is expected to "ignite debate" in Congress."

What's a less intense alternative to "ignite debate"?

If you want to convey a less confrontational tone, consider alternatives like "prompt discussion", "trigger discussion", or "foster discussion".

Is "ignite debate" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "ignite debate" is appropriate for formal writing, but be mindful of the context. It's suitable when you want to highlight the potential for disagreement or contention around a particular issue. If neutrality is desired, other options might be more suitable.

What is the difference between "ignite debate" and "fuel the controversy"?

"Ignite debate" suggests starting a debate, whereas "fuel the controversy" implies that a controversy already exists and is being intensified.