long-standing debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long-standing debate" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to a debate that has been going on for a long time and shows no sign of being resolved. For example: "The debate over whether to raise taxes has been a long-standing debate with no clear resolution in sight."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Part I also discusses the long-standing debate over the desirability of dual-class structures.

Harvard University

He thus overlooks a long-standing debate about the scope of judicial precedent.

The New Yorker

There is a long-standing debate over price vs. quantity approaches to supporting the deployment of renewable electricity technologies.

Energy Policy

Despite their centrality, a long-standing debate persists as to how the meanings of concepts are represented and processed.

Cognition

Mr. Obama's argument reflects a long-standing debate, one that is especially divisive now, given Americans' polarization.

The New York Times

Gorbachev's new posture gave a new twist to the long-standing debate within NATO over nuclear deterrence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Second, professional women surfers finally resolved a long-standing debate over the best surfing style for women.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Long-standing debate exists regarding the mechanisms of soil organic matter (SOM) preservation and, especially, the role of organo-clay mineral associations.

Geoderma

There is a long-standing debate among political scientists on whether elections are, on balance, stabilizing or destabilizing for dictatorships.

The Washington Post

A long-standing debate has focused on the role of regional culture versus that of legal infrastructure in driving innovation.

Harvard Business Review

However, the acid-sensing mechanism and coding of the taste receptor cells in the periphery is not well understood, with long-standing debate.

Biosensors and Bioelectronics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "long-standing debate", ensure the context clearly indicates what the debate is about. Provide specific details or references to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "long-standing debate" when referring to a recently emerged discussion. The phrase implies a history of contention and discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long-standing debate" functions as a noun phrase, where "long-standing" modifies the noun "debate". It describes a debate that has existed for a considerable duration. Ludwig provides numerous examples to illustrate its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

30%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "long-standing debate" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an issue that has been debated for a significant period. As indicated by Ludwig, it's frequently used in academic, scientific, and news contexts. It effectively communicates the prolonged nature of the discussion and often implies a lack of clear resolution. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies the subject of the debate to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as "ongoing controversy" or "protracted disagreement" to fine-tune the intended meaning. The phrase is deemed accurate and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long-running argument

Focuses on the duration of the argument.

ongoing controversy

Highlights the contentious nature and continued public interest.

long-term controversy

Another way to emphasize the extended duration of the controversy.

protracted disagreement

Emphasizes the extended duration and lack of resolution.

continuous disagreement

Highlights the ongoing nature of the disagreement.

enduring dispute

Stresses the lasting quality of the disagreement.

unresolved issue

Focuses on the lack of a solution or agreement.

perennial argument

Implies that the argument recurs regularly.

historical contention

Highlights the historical roots of the disagreement.

age-old question

Indicates the question has been debated for a very long time.

FAQs

How can I use "long-standing debate" in a sentence?

You can use "long-standing debate" to refer to a subject of continuous disagreement, like: "There is a "long-standing debate" among scientists about the effects of climate change."

What is a good substitute for "long-standing debate"?

Alternatives include "ongoing controversy", "protracted disagreement", or "enduring dispute", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is more appropriate, "long-standing debate" or "recent discussion"?

"Long-standing debate" implies the issue has been discussed for a considerable time, while "recent discussion" suggests a newly emerged topic. Choose based on the actual history of the issue.

What makes a debate "long-standing"?

A debate is considered "long-standing" when it has persisted for many years or even decades, involving multiple viewpoints and lacking a definitive resolution.