it is debatable whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "it is debatable whether" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to present a topic that is open to argument or discussion. For example, "It is debatable whether individuals should be allowed to own guns for personal protection."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is debatable whether the water services sector can maintain its static nature.

European Journal of Futures Research

It is debatable whether this is true.

The Guardian

It is debatable whether he has to.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it is debatable whether AR can achieve perfect fit.

The New York Times

It is debatable whether they exist any more.

The Guardian - Sport

It is debatable whether we would have been.

The Guardian - Sport

However, it is debatable whether these types of density alone are enough to make decisions.

The Guardian

Their origins are unclear, and it is debatable whether they are faithful records of history.

Britannica

It is debatable whether Mr. McCall has been a national leader on corporate accountability and responsibility.

The New York Times

So it is debatable whether banks shift much, if any, risk off their balance sheets.

The Economist

It is debatable whether you would let your little ones loose on the route alone, though.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is debatable whether" to introduce arguments where different viewpoints exist. This acknowledges the complexity of the issue and invites further discussion.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "it is debatable whether." This can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives like "arguably" or "it is open to question whether."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is debatable whether" functions as a hedge, introducing statements where the truth or validity is uncertain or open to interpretation. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English, showcasing examples where the phrase effectively introduces debatable topics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is debatable whether" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to introduce statements of uncertainty or differing opinions. Ludwig AI validates its widespread use across diverse contexts, from academic and scientific writing to news and media. While the phrase is appropriate for formal and neutral registers, overuse should be avoided to maintain writing clarity. Alternatives like "it is arguable whether" and "it is questionable whether" can add variety to your writing. The high frequency and consistent usage across authoritative sources underscores the phrase's value in expressing nuanced perspectives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is arguable whether

Changes 'debatable' to 'arguable', emphasizing that a case can be made for different viewpoints.

it is questionable whether

Replaces 'debatable' with 'questionable', suggesting some doubt or skepticism.

it is uncertain whether

Substitutes 'debatable' with 'uncertain', highlighting the lack of definitive knowledge.

it is doubtful whether

Uses 'doubtful' instead of 'debatable', indicating a stronger leaning towards disbelief.

it is contested whether

Employs 'contested' in place of 'debatable', stressing active disagreement or dispute.

it is disputed whether

Replaces 'debatable' with 'disputed', emphasizing a disagreement has not been resolved.

it is moot whether

Changes 'debatable' to 'moot', implying that the issue is academic or no longer relevant.

it is dubious whether

Substitutes 'debatable' with 'dubious', suggesting that there are reasons to distrust something.

it is problematic whether

Uses 'problematic' instead of 'debatable', highlighting the potential issues or difficulties.

it is open to question whether

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize that the matter is not settled and remains an open question.

FAQs

What does "it is debatable whether" mean?

The phrase "it is debatable whether" indicates that there is no clear consensus on a particular issue, and different people may hold different opinions or beliefs.

How to use "it is debatable whether" in a sentence?

You can use "it is debatable whether" to introduce a topic where viewpoints differ. For example, "It is debatable whether social media improves or hurts interpersonal communication."

What can I say instead of "it is debatable whether"?

You can use alternatives like "it is arguable whether", "it is questionable whether", or "it is uncertain whether" to express similar meanings.

Is it ever incorrect to use "it is debatable whether"?

While grammatically correct, using "it is debatable whether" might be inappropriate if there's already a well-established consensus on a topic. In such cases, presenting it as debatable could undermine your credibility.