invitation to debate

USAGE SUMMARY

"invitation to debate" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when someone is offering the opportunity for others to engage in a discussion or argument about a certain topic. For example: "The professor's lecture on climate change was not just informative, but also served as an invitation to debate among the students." OR "The politician's controversial statement was met with an invitation to debate from the opposing party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

He refuses every invitation to debate.

The New York Times

As for Mrs. Clinton's invitation to debate, Mr. Lazio's aides welcomed it.

The New York Times

Ukip has declined an invitation to debate the controversial programme, Ukip: the First 100 Days, on tonight's edition of Newsnight.

The Guardian

July 20 -- Al Gore accepts an invitation to debate George W. Bush on the David Letterman show.

The New York Times

(Declining an earlier invitation to debate Tymoshenko, he had said, "I've never in my life lowered myself to competing in circumlocution with a woman").

The New Yorker

Endured an idyllic childhood, blissfully unaware of the Communists hiding under the bed... Her bio is an admission of quirkiness but not an invitation to debate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Mr. Davis has turned down numerous invitations to debate the candidates vying to replace him.

The New York Times

Chris Lehane, his campaign press secretary, said that the vice president has already accepted about 40 invitations to debate Mr. Bush.

The New York Times

Mr. Bloomberg has declined other invitations to debate Mr. Badillo and regularly fails to appear at forums open to all the major candidates.

The New York Times

The next day, the group Consumer Watchdog placed a digital ad in Times Square that called Google "chicken" for not accepting invitations to debate issues about the online privacy of consumers.

The New York Times

Douglas R. Forrester, indignant about Frank R. Lautenberg's rejection of invitations to debate him in their Senate race, today repeated his challenges to Mr. Lautenberg but said he doubted that a debate would be arranged before the final days of the campaign.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "invitation to debate" when you want to formally propose or highlight the opportunity for a structured argument or discussion. Be clear about the topic and format.

Common error

Avoid using "invitation to debate" when a simple discussion or conversation is more suitable. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly formal or confrontational.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "invitation to debate" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It acts as the object or subject of a sentence, denoting the offer or act of proposing a formal discussion or argument. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "invitation to debate" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase, primarily found in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI states, it signifies a formal offer for structured discussion or argument. While the phrase is appropriate for neutral to professional settings, writers should consider alternatives like "offer to debate" or "request for debate" for nuanced meanings. Overusing "invitation to debate" can sound overly formal. Several authoritative sources, including The New York Times and The Guardian, frequently employ this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offer to debate

Focuses on the act of proposing a debate.

challenge to a debate

Emphasizes the competitive aspect of the debate invitation.

request for debate

Highlights the formal nature of asking for a debate.

summons to discuss

Suggests a more formal or official call to a discussion.

call for discussion

Emphasizes the need for a general discussion, which may include a debate.

proposal for deliberation

Indicates a more thoughtful and considered approach to the discussion.

opportunity to argue

Highlights the chance to present arguments, which is a core component of a debate.

forum for discussion

Focuses on providing a platform for a debate.

invitation to dialogue

Broader term, which can imply a less confrontational interchange of ideas.

prompt to debate

Focuses on the action of inciting a debate.

FAQs

How can I use "invitation to debate" in a sentence?

You can use "invitation to debate" to describe a formal offer to discuss opposing viewpoints, as in "The senator extended an invitation to debate his economic policies".

What are some alternatives to "invitation to debate"?

Alternatives include "offer to debate", "challenge to a debate", or "request for debate" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "invitation to debate" in informal contexts?

While grammatically correct, "invitation to debate" is more suited for formal situations. In informal settings, consider using phrases like "open to discussion" or "willing to talk about it".

What's the difference between "invitation to debate" and "invitation to discuss"?

"Invitation to debate" implies a structured argument with opposing viewpoints, while "invitation to discuss" suggests a more general and open-ended conversation. An "invitation to discuss" doesn't necessarily have opposing viewpoints.