is up for debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is up for debate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a topic or issue that is open to discussion or disagreement. Example: "The effectiveness of the new policy is up for debate among the committee members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

How much is up for debate.

The New York Times

All this is up for debate.

The Guardian - Tech

(Which one is up for debate).

The New York Times

Why both networks are active is up for debate.

The New York Times - Science

It is up for debate whether that happened.

The New York Times - Sports

But none of this is up for debate.

The Guardian - Opinion

What constitutes too loud is up for debate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

All else is up for debate: that much is not.

The Guardian

How to accomplish that is up for debate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Whether that's true is up for debate.

The New York Times

How far is up for debate.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is up for debate" to clearly signal that a topic is not settled and invites further discussion or differing viewpoints.

Common error

While "is up for debate" is widely understood, consider more formal alternatives like "remains unresolved" or "is subject to further investigation" in academic or professional writing to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is up for debate" functions as a predicate adjective indicating that a particular issue or topic is not settled and is open to different viewpoints. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

34%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is up for debate" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that a topic is open for discussion and lacks a definitive consensus. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While it appears most frequently in news and media, as well as academic contexts, writers should consider more formal alternatives like "is open to question" or "is subject to discussion" in professional settings. Remember that using "is up for debate" signals that the topic is not settled and invites consideration of diverse perspectives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is debatable

Simply states that something can be debated.

is an open question

Highlights the lack of a definitive answer.

is open to question

Emphasizes the uncertain or questionable nature of something.

is arguable

Implies that there are valid arguments on both sides.

is subject to discussion

Highlights that the topic is currently being discussed or considered.

is contestable

Indicates that something can be challenged or disputed.

is a matter of contention

Suggests a stronger disagreement or dispute surrounding the topic.

remains unresolved

Focuses on the lack of a final decision or agreement.

is still under consideration

Indicates that the topic is being actively evaluated.

is moot

Suggests that something is no longer relevant or important.

FAQs

How can I use "is up for debate" in a sentence?

You can use "is up for debate" to indicate that a particular point or issue is open to discussion and disagreement. For example, "Whether the new policy will be effective "is up for debate" among the committee members."

What are some alternatives to "is up for debate"?

Some alternatives include "is open to question", "is subject to discussion", or "is debatable". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "is up for debate" in academic writing?

While acceptable, using more formal alternatives like "remains a matter of contention" or "is subject to ongoing research" might be preferable in academic contexts.

What's the difference between "is up for debate" and "is under discussion"?

"Is up for debate" implies a degree of disagreement or uncertainty, while "is under discussion" simply means that a topic is being talked about, without necessarily indicating disagreement.