point of debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "point of debate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a topic or issue that is open to differing opinions or arguments. Example: "The environmental impact of the new policy has become a significant point of debate among experts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In marketing, choice overload remains a point of debate.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Taxes have also been a major point of debate.

The New York Times

How we do that is the first point of debate.

The Guardian - Sport

The optimal management of medically refractory idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) remains a point of debate.

World Neurosurgery

Background: Management of clinically occult breast lesions is still a major point of debate.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

Despite an extensive literature, the "g" construct remains a point of debate.

Intelligence

Whether that makes a difference will be yet another point of debate.

The New Yorker

One point of debate, particularly when it comes to dogs, centers on what donors to use.

The Washington Post

The true meaning of these results, however, remained a point of debate yesterday.

The New York Times

This is likely to be a point of debate in the forthcoming general election.

The Guardian

Whether this would translate into the sexual abuse of a child was the only significant point of debate.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "point of debate" when you want to indicate that there are differing opinions or arguments surrounding a specific topic. It is suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "point of debate" when the disagreement or discussion is not clear or relevant to the overall topic. Ensure the context clearly indicates what the debate is about.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "point of debate" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific issue or aspect within a larger discussion that is subject to disagreement or differing opinions. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

41%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "point of debate" is a widely used and grammatically sound expression for identifying subjects of disagreement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it appears more frequently in news, scientific, and academic publications. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates the nature of the debate. Alternatives such as "matter of contention" or "subject of controversy" can be used to add nuance. Remember to use the phrase in contexts where differing opinions or arguments exist to maintain clarity and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

point of contention

Synonymous with "point of debate", interchangeable in many contexts.

matter of contention

Replaces "point" with "matter" and "debate" with "contention", emphasizing disagreement.

subject of controversy

Substitutes "point" with "subject" and "debate" with "controversy", highlighting the contentious nature.

matter of dispute

Similar to "matter of contention", focusing on the disputed nature of the topic.

contested issue

A more concise way of saying that the issue is being actively contested or debated.

area of disagreement

Replaces the entire phrase with a more straightforward expression of differing opinions.

issue in dispute

Highlights that the issue is not settled and is subject to disagreement.

bone of contention

Uses an idiomatic expression to denote a source of conflict or disagreement.

topic of argument

Emphasizes the argumentative nature of the discussion.

question under discussion

Indicates that the topic is currently being discussed and potentially debated.

FAQs

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

You can use "point of debate" to indicate a topic where opinions differ. For example, "The effectiveness of the new policy is a major "point of debate" among economists."

What are some alternatives to "point of debate"?

Alternatives include "matter of contention", "subject of controversy", or "area of disagreement", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "point of debate" formal or informal?

"Point of debate" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing.

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

While similar, "point of debate" often refers to a specific aspect or issue within a broader discussion, while "topic of debate" indicates the overarching subject being discussed.