lines of debate

USAGE SUMMARY

"lines of debate" is a correct and usable phrase in English.
You can use it when referring to the different points or arguments that a person or group may discuss or present in an argument or discussion. For example: "We discussed several different lines of debate during the meeting, but ultimately came to a common understanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Those terms make the lines of debate seem clearer than they were, says Maier.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The three blog posts so far this week on precaution, from Andy Stirling, Tracey Brown and Steve Fuller, have opened up some of the lines of debate.

The Guardian

He breaks down insider language, asks fundamental and surprising questions, and leaves the reader — at least this one — full of more questions yet with a much clearer map of the lines of debate.

The New York Times - Books

The chief lines of debate will be drawn between Kaoru Yosano, a former economy minister who argues for a swift start to hikes in the consumption tax, and Hidenao Nakagawa, once a close adviser to Mr Koizumi, who says the bureaucracy must be fixed and supply-side measures taken first.Over the summer, it will become a little clearer whether Mr Fukuda has the gumption to push his agenda.

The Economist

But either way, if Steve Clemons is right about Biden being the pick, it's not hard to see how that could spark some new lines of debate on the race question.

Huffington Post

The following discussion is organised along the lines of debate concerning CT regimens: anthracyclines versus CMF and anthracyclines versus taxanes.

European Journal of Cancer, Supplement

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

That contention hardly qualified as a new line of debate.

The New York Times

Each exchange on the Podemos's subreddit page — whether a back-and-forth with a party leader, a proposal, a particular line of debate, or press clip — is scored by Reddit users, and this helps to determines whether or not it is absorbed into the party's project.

The New Yorker

Each exchange on the Podemos's subreddit page whether a back-and-forth with a party leader, a proposal, a particular line of debate, or press clip is scored by Reddit users, and this helps to determines whether or not it is absorbed into the party's project.

The New Yorker

Another line of debate has been over the nature of the castle's defences, in particular its gunloops.

Wikipedia

What very few are articulating is why this line of debate is so salient with the current population of teachers.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lines of debate" to clearly identify and separate distinct arguments within a complex discussion. This helps organize your analysis and makes it easier for the reader to follow the different viewpoints.

Common error

Avoid using "lines of debate" when discussing straightforward disagreements. Simpler terms like "arguments" or "points" might be more appropriate for less complex situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lines of debate" functions as a noun phrase, identifying and categorizing distinct arguments or viewpoints within a discussion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase. The examples demonstrate its role in mapping out the different positions in a debate.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lines of debate" effectively captures the different viewpoints or arguments present in a discussion. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is both grammatically correct and contextually appropriate for use in English. While the phrase appears most frequently in news and media, it is also common in scientific and academic contexts. Alternatives such as "points of contention" or "opposing viewpoints" can be used depending on the specific nuances you wish to convey. When using "lines of debate", it's essential to ensure that the context is complex enough to warrant its use, avoiding overuse in simpler discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opposing viewpoints

Directly refers to the conflicting perspectives on an issue.

conflicting arguments

Highlights the contrast between different sets of reasons and evidence.

points of contention

Focuses on the specific issues that are disputed.

main points of controversy

Emphasizes the central disagreements in a more formal way.

key issues in the dispute

Pinpoints the most important disagreements.

areas of disagreement

Highlights the specific topics where opinions diverge.

bones of contention

Uses an idiomatic expression to refer to the core disagreements.

controversial aspects

Draws attention to the elements of the discussion that are likely to cause disagreement.

subjects of discussion

Emphasizes the topics being talked about, without necessarily implying conflict.

matters under consideration

Suggests a more formal and deliberative approach to the topics.

FAQs

How can I use "lines of debate" in a sentence?

You can use "lines of debate" to refer to the different arguments or viewpoints in a discussion. For example, "The report outlined the main lines of debate surrounding the proposed policy change."

What's a good alternative to "lines of debate"?

Alternatives include "points of contention", "opposing viewpoints", or "areas of disagreement", depending on the specific context.

Is "lines of debate" formal or informal?

"Lines of debate" is generally considered neutral to formal, suitable for academic, journalistic, and professional contexts. It's appropriate when discussing complex or significant disagreements.

How does "lines of debate" differ from "arguments"?

"Arguments" refers to the individual reasons or evidence presented, while "lines of debate" encompasses the broader spectrum of opposing viewpoints and the overall structure of the disagreement.