Used and loved by millions

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 whether
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Alternative expressions(8)

it is questionable whether

it is uncertain whether

it is doubtful whether

it is arguable whether

it is disputable whether

it remains to be seen whether

one might question whether

it's uncertain whether

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

Developed by Fox's local-language arm, it's debatable whether the film is really a local triumph, or a piece of effective "glocalisation" by Hollywood.

News & Media

The Guardian - Film

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

News & Media

Independent

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

News & Media

The New York Times

It's debatable whether this constitutes a civil war or not.

News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

"It's debatable whether anyone will try to do anything as crazy as the U2 360° Tour".

News & Media

Independent

It's debatable whether the roasted, browned branches improved the look, however, when the tart came out.

News & Media

The New York Times - Food

Whatever the reason, it's debatable whether the delicate flower that is Robin fully deserves watering.

News & Media

The New York Times - Arts

We did make that move and it's debatable whether we made the right one".

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's debatable whether" to introduce a balanced perspective, acknowledging that different viewpoints exist. This strengthens your argument by showing you've considered multiple angles.

Common error

Avoid using "it's debatable whether" as a mere placeholder. Always follow up with specific reasons or evidence to support the notion that the issue is indeed debatable.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's debatable whether" functions as a discourse marker to introduce a statement or question that is not definitively settled. It signals that there are differing viewpoints or a lack of conclusive evidence on the topic. This aligns with Ludwig's examples showing its use in various contexts where uncertainty or open discussion is implied.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it's debatable whether" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce uncertainty or differing viewpoints. As evidenced by Ludwig, it frequently appears in news and media contexts. While its neutral register makes it widely applicable, writers should ensure they provide supporting evidence when using the phrase to maintain credibility and depth in their arguments. Alternative phrases like "it is questionable whether" or "it is uncertain whether" can offer nuanced substitutes depending on the specific shade of doubt you want to convey.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is questionable whether

Replaces "debatable" with "questionable", emphasizing doubt about something.

it is uncertain whether

Substitutes "debatable" with "uncertain", highlighting the lack of definite knowledge.

it is doubtful whether

Replaces "debatable" with "doubtful", stressing skepticism regarding a situation.

it is arguable whether

Uses "arguable" instead of "debatable", indicating the point is open to discussion and differing opinions.

it is disputable whether

Replaces "debatable" with "disputable", suggesting the matter can be challenged or contested.

it remains to be seen whether

Shifts focus to future resolution, implying uncertainty will be resolved over time.

the subject is open to debate

Expresses the idea of ongoing discussion without a clear resolution.

it's open to question whether

Replaces "debatable" with "open to question", suggesting the validity or truth is not yet established.

one might question whether

Introduces the idea as a thought experiment, inviting consideration of different viewpoints.

there is some debate as to whether

Highlights the existence of a debate, emphasizing that the point is not settled.

FAQs

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

Use "it's debatable whether" to introduce a topic where there is no clear consensus or where different viewpoints exist. For example, "It's debatable whether increased screen time is harmful to children."

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

You can use alternatives like "it is questionable whether", "it is uncertain whether", or "it is doubtful whether" depending on the specific context.

Is "it's debatable whether" formal or informal?

"It's debatable whether" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "it is arguable whether" might be preferred in academic writing.

What's the difference between "it's debatable whether" and "it's certain that"?

"It's debatable whether" indicates uncertainty and the possibility of differing opinions, while "it's certain that" asserts a fact with confidence and leaves no room for doubt.

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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

89%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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

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