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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

it's debatable
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While it's debatable whether Turing's effort won the Allies the war, it certainly hastened its end.

News & Media

Independent

Considering this, it's debatable whether Clinton's plan can be defined as debt-free.

News & Media

The Guardian - Money

It's debatable whether Mackey's philosophy of stewardship differs as radically from mainstream corporate America as he seems to believe.

News & Media

The New York Times - Magazine

It's debatable whether the world needs another recording of Brahms's "First Piano Concerto".

News & Media

Independent

It's debatable how many of the black people in Cohen's collage even are his friends, but that's irrelevant.

News & Media

Huffington Post

And while unemployment has gone down, it's debatable how much of that is a result of the president's legislation.

News & Media

Huffington Post

It's debatable.

News & Media

The Guardian

Objectively, it's debatable.

News & Media

The New York Times - Travel

The answer: It's debatable.

News & Media

The New York Times

It's debatable, of course, and subjective.

News & Media

The Economist

It's debatable whether much will change under the new law.

News & Media

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Precede "it's debatable" with context. Clearly state what aspect is being questioned to ensure clarity.

Common error

While "it's debatable" is useful, overuse can weaken your writing. Vary your language with alternatives like "it remains to be seen" or "the matter is in dispute" to maintain reader engagement.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's debatable" functions as an evaluative expression. It introduces a statement, proposition, or idea that is not definitively settled and is open to discussion or disagreement. Ludwig provides numerous examples in various contexts, confirming its role in framing contentiousness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

Less common in

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it's debatable" is a frequently used phrase to introduce statements or ideas that are not definitively settled. As confirmed by Ludwig, it signals uncertainty or disagreement, inviting consideration of multiple perspectives. While appropriate across various contexts, it is most common in news and media and scientific writing and should be used judiciously to maintain clarity and engagement. Alternatives like "it is arguable" or "it remains to be seen" can add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is open to question

Emphasizes that the topic is not settled and invites scrutiny.

it is arguable

Highlights the possibility of presenting arguments for different sides.

it remains to be seen

Focuses on the future resolution of the issue.

the matter is in dispute

Indicates active disagreement or contention.

there is room for doubt

Suggests uncertainty and potential for error.

it is a moot point

Implies that the issue may be theoretical or of little practical consequence.

it is a matter of opinion

Underscores the subjective nature of the topic.

the issue is unresolved

Highlights the lack of a final decision or agreement.

it is uncertain

Simply states the lack of certainty about the matter.

it is questionable

Suggests doubts about the validity or correctness of something.

FAQs

How can I use "it's debatable" in a sentence?

You can use "it's debatable" to introduce an idea or statement that is not universally agreed upon. For instance, "It's debatable whether increased screen time is harmful to children."

What are some alternatives to "it's debatable"?

You can use alternatives like "it is arguable", "it remains to be seen", or "the matter is in dispute" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it is debatable" instead of "it's debatable"?

Yes, both "it's debatable" and "it is debatable" are grammatically correct. "It's" is simply a contraction of "it is" and is generally more common in informal writing.

What's the difference between "it's debatable" and "it's uncertain"?

"It's debatable" suggests that there are different opinions or arguments about something, while "it is uncertain" simply means that something is not known or predictable. The first introduces a subjective element of argumentation, while the latter indicates objective ambiguity.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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it's debatableGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

it's debatable
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples