main point of debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "main point of debate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the central issue or topic that is being discussed or argued about in a particular context. Example: "The main point of debate during the conference was the impact of climate change on global economies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Because while the afterlife is the main point of debate among other religious sects, if there's one thing devotees of all faiths can agree on, it's that death is not all that picky.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The chapters are written in sufficient detail for anyone coming to the subject for the first time to develop a clear and informed view of how the constitution is arranged, how it works, and the main points of debate on it in Vietnamese society.

Stanford University

Thus, two main points of debate should be discussed: 1) the need for an accurate follow-up in order to recognize early glucose impairments and 2) strategies to prevent the decline in glucose metabolism.

Diabetes Care

Indeed, they provided the main point of public debate during the past week and prompted a string of articles in publications elsewhere in Europe.

The Economist

And like Cardinal O'Connor, he did it by missing the main point of a debate in choosing the lesser of two virtues.

Huffington Post

That provision, pushed by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, has become the main point of contention in the debate over the bill.

The New York Times

Besides directors' behaviours, we recorded the main points of the debate, who responded, and how, to the 'presenting problem' raised by a NED, and what decision the board finally made.

BMC Health Services Research

Vouchers were a main point of fissure in the education debate of this fall's presidential campaign.

The New York Times

One more thought: if the main point of the Mercurys is to stimulate debate, then perhaps These New Puritans – whose glaring omission has rightly enraged the blogosphere – have already got more out of this year's announcement than if they'd actually been on the shortlist.

The Guardian - Music

My main point of contact was Richard Freeman.

The Guardian - Sport

But Cost misses the main point of the article.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "main point of debate", ensure that the context clearly identifies the specific debate or discussion to which you are referring. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "main point of debate" when the context lacks a clear, defined debate. If the discussion is broad or exploratory, consider using phrases like "key aspect" or "central theme" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "main point of debate" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the central issue or topic being discussed or argued. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "main point of debate" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to highlight the central issue or topic in a discussion or argument. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability. While suitable across various contexts, from news and media to academia and science, it is essential to ensure the surrounding context clearly identifies the specific debate. Alternatives such as "central contention" or "crux of the argument" can be used to add nuance or specificity. Remember to avoid overgeneralization and always provide sufficient context to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

central contention

Focuses on the core disagreement rather than the broader debate.

key issue under discussion

Highlights the importance and ongoing nature of the discussion.

crux of the argument

Emphasizes the most critical point within the argument.

core of the controversy

Highlights the most controversial part of the topic.

primary subject of contention

Replaces "point" with "subject" and uses "contention" instead of "debate", which is more formal.

main bone of contention

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the idea of a key point of disagreement.

chief area of disagreement

Focuses on the area of disagreement, suggesting a broader scope than a single point.

central theme of debate

Highlights the overarching theme that the debate revolves around.

principal matter in dispute

Replaces "point" with "matter" and uses "dispute" to emphasize the disagreement.

major source of conflict

Highlights the conflict arising from the main point.

FAQs

How can I use "main point of debate" in a sentence?

You can use "main point of debate" to highlight the central issue in a discussion. For example, "The "main point of debate" was whether the new policy would increase efficiency or create more bureaucracy."

What is a good alternative to "main point of debate"?

Alternatives include "central contention", "key issue under discussion", or "crux of the argument" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the main point of the debate" or "a main point of the debate"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "the main point of the debate" suggests there is a single, overarching issue, while "a main point of the debate" suggests there are multiple significant issues.

What's the difference between "main point of debate" and "point of contention"?

"Main point of debate" refers to the central subject under discussion, while "point of contention" refers specifically to a matter that is being disputed or argued about.