raise a debate

USAGE SUMMARY

"raise a debate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are introducing a discussion or argument about a particular topic. For example, "The issue of gun control has raised a debate among citizens."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

She always wished to raise a debate about sexism and opposing Page 3 was but one step on the road to a greater goal.

The Guardian

Kinnock, who is trying to raise a debate in the House of Lords on the subject, also points to the "clearly untenable and unreasonable" policy on Eritrean refugees.

The Guardian

It had many of the elements you are looking for - it was controversial, it would be talked about, it was something that was a genuine attempt to raise a debate and it plugged into a subject that was already on the agenda.

The Guardian

Thus, the opportunity cost of this engaged cash can raise a debate.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

The results of the research paper also raise a debate about the effectiveness of training efforts for SME.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

Mr. ARRINGTON: You will not raise a debate on anything, will you?

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The death of the teenager has triggered widespread anguish and raised a debate about the rights of transgender people.

Independent

Immortalising Beckham raises a debate over his true legacy at the LA Galaxy and whether other club legends should have been recognised before the Englishman.

The Guardian - Sport

She said the question of how things fit together — what belongs and what doesn't in an outsized landscape — has raised a debate very much still underway.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Snowden, 30, whose revelations of American surveillance activities abroad have angered the Obama administration and raised a debate about governmental invasion of privacy, remained out of sight on Wednesday.

The New York Times

It's just a pity that this guy feels the need to link it in with superstitious beliefs such as homeopathy – David Chameleon My reference to "social homeopathy" raised a debate in itself, too.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "raise a debate" when you want to emphasize the act of bringing a contentious issue to the forefront for discussion. It's effective in highlighting the initiation of a formal or structured argument.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "raise a debate" can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for phrases like "bring up" or "talk about" for everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "raise a debate" is as a verb phrase where "raise" is the verb and "a debate" is the direct object. It follows the standard subject-verb-object structure. Ludwig AI confirms the correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "raise a debate" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of introducing a topic likely to cause discussion or disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity. While the phrase is functional in various contexts, it's more commonly found in news, scientific and formal business settings. For more casual conversations, using alternatives such as "bring up" or "talk about" may be more fitting. To "spark a debate", "initiate a discussion", or "trigger a debate" are semantically related alternatives to consider, based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spark a debate

Focuses on initiating a debate quickly and intensely.

trigger a debate

Similar to spark, suggesting a forceful beginning to a debate.

instigate a debate

Suggests a more active and deliberate initiation of a debate.

provoke discussion

Implies that the discussion may be controversial or emotionally charged.

initiate a discussion

Emphasizes starting a conversation, which may or may not become a debate.

prompt a discussion

Highlights causing a discussion as a result of something.

foster a debate

Focuses on nurturing and encouraging a debate to grow.

introduce a debate

Focuses on formally presenting a debate for consideration.

generate discussion

Highlights the creation of a discussion, broader than a debate.

stimulate discussion

Focuses on energizing or making a discussion more active.

FAQs

What does "raise a debate" mean?

To "raise a debate" means to introduce an issue or topic that leads to discussion and disagreement, often in a formal or public setting. It implies bringing something to attention that is likely to cause contention.

How can I use "raise a debate" in a sentence?

You can use "raise a debate" to describe the act of initiating a discussion, for example: "The new policy proposal is likely to "spark a debate".".

What are some alternatives to "raise a debate"?

Alternatives to "raise a debate" include "initiate a discussion", "prompt a discussion", or "trigger a debate" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "raise a debate" formal or informal?

"Raise a debate" is generally considered more formal. In informal contexts, you might prefer using phrases like "bring up a discussion" or "talk about something contentious".