push the debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "push the debate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to encourage or promote discussion on a particular topic or issue. Example: "The recent findings in climate science have pushed the debate on environmental policy to the forefront of public discourse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Racialised words can be used to push the debate forward.

The Guardian - Opinion

Opposition leaders rarely manage to push the debate onto their preferred turf like this.

The Economist

And to try and push the debate along, we took the issue to the economists at Economics by invitation.

The Economist

Hollande and Aubry will have to fight for his supporters' votes, which may push the debate further to the left.

The Guardian

An extension of one year would push the debate in the opening session of the next Congress; a two-year extension would place it squarely in the 2012 presidential campaign; three years would hand the issue to the next administration.

The New York Times

Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the majority leader, has indicated that he is willing to push the debate of gun legislation to next week to give the background-check negotiations more time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

That pushed the debate late into Wednesday night.

The New York Times

People such as Timothy Garton Ash, Richard Dawkins, Simon Jenkins, John Kampfner, David Goodhart – people whose commentary informs and pushes the debate on a bit.

The Guardian

Colin Jacobson's "Underexposed: Pictures Can Lie and Liars Use Pictures" pushes the debate farther.

The New York Times - Books

This has pushed the debate towards full employment and away from austerity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Arguing that the word was outmoded and demeaning, council members pushed the debate into the national spotlight.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "push the debate" when you want to emphasize a proactive effort to move a discussion forward, often by introducing new ideas or perspectives.

Common error

Avoid phrasing that obscures who is doing the "pushing". Ensure it's clear who is actively trying to influence the debate, rather than implying it's happening without agency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "push the debate" functions as a verb phrase. It typically describes the action of trying to move a discussion forward, often by introducing new arguments or perspectives. Ludwig AI examples show it used in contexts ranging from political discussions to scientific inquiries.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "push the debate" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that signifies an active effort to advance a discussion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it frequently appears in news and media, with some usage in academic and scientific contexts. While it is generally suitable for various settings, more formal alternatives like "advance the debate" or "further the debate" might be preferred in highly academic or scientific settings. To effectively use the phrase, ensure clarity regarding who is doing the "pushing" and avoid passive voice. By understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts, you can confidently use "push the debate" to encourage progress in conversations and discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advance the debate

Focuses on making the debate progress forward.

promote the debate

Emphasizes raising awareness and encouraging engagement.

further the debate

Suggests contributing additional information or arguments to the debate.

stimulate the debate

Highlights the act of creating interest and activity in the discussion.

propel the debate

Indicates a forceful movement of the discussion.

escalate the debate

Implies increasing the intensity or scope of the debate.

provoke the debate

Suggests initiating a debate, often with controversial statements.

encourage discussion

Promotes conversation more generally, not necessarily a formal debate.

ignite the discussion

Creates the starting point of a vivid debate.

influence the discussion

Focuses on the effect on others' opinion during a debate.

FAQs

How can I use "push the debate" in a sentence?

You can use "push the debate" to indicate an effort to advance a discussion. For instance, "The new evidence aims to "push the debate" forward regarding climate change policies".

What does "push the debate" mean?

"Push the debate" means to actively try to advance or influence a discussion by introducing new ideas, arguments, or perspectives.

Are there formal alternatives to "push the debate"?

Yes, you can use more formal alternatives like "advance the debate" or "further the debate" in professional or academic contexts.

How is "push the debate" different from "influence the debate"?

"Push the debate" focuses on advancing the discussion itself, while "influence the discussion" emphasizes affecting the opinions or outcomes of the debate.