serious debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serious debate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a topic that requires thoughtful consideration and discussion among individuals or groups. Example: "The issue of climate change has sparked a serious debate among scientists and policymakers about the best course of action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The question merits serious debate.

The Economist

The individual-rights argument warrants serious debate.

The New Yorker

It's time for some serious debate about the options.

Independent

But it's a tough subject, causing some serious debate.

Independent

These things happen without any serious debate here".

The New York Times - Arts

It's an issue crying out for serious debate.

The New York Times

He said it "led nowhere in any serious debate".

Independent

What is urgently needed now is informed and serious debate.

The New York Times

Linear perspective and knowable reality become matters of serious debate.

The New York Times

None of the mainstream political parties wished to engage in a serious debate on these issues.

The New Yorker

There's serious debate about tightly regulating what people can use food stamps to buy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "serious debate" to introduce a subject that's complex and demands deeper scrutiny. This sets the tone for thoughtful discussions.

Common error

Avoid using "serious debate" in casual conversation. It's better suited for formal discussions or written pieces where a level of gravitas is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious debate" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "serious" modifies the noun "debate". It identifies a discussion that is important and requires careful consideration. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where the phrase acts as the subject or object of a verb, indicating its noun-like function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "serious debate" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe discussions of significant importance. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is most frequently employed in news and media contexts. When writing, it's best used to introduce complex topics requiring thoughtful consideration, but should be avoided in informal situations where its formality might feel out of place. Alternatives like "intense discussion" or "profound discourse" can be used to achieve similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense discussion

Replaces "debate" with "discussion" and "serious" with "intense", focusing on the level of engagement.

profound discourse

Substitutes "debate" with "discourse" and "serious" with "profound", emphasizing depth and intellectual rigor.

earnest deliberation

Replaces "debate" with "deliberation" and "serious" with "earnest", highlighting sincerity and careful consideration.

significant controversy

Shifts the focus to the disagreement aspect using "controversy" and replacing "serious" with "significant".

substantial argument

Focuses on the argumentative aspect, using "argument" instead of "debate" and "substantial" to describe the weight of it.

critical examination

Changes the focus to analysis using "examination" replacing "debate" and "critical" replacing "serious".

in-depth analysis

Focuses on detailed scrutiny, with "analysis" replacing "debate" and "in-depth" replacing "serious".

thorough consideration

Emphasizes the careful thought process, substituting "debate" with "consideration" and "serious" with "thorough".

vigorous contention

Highlights the forceful disagreement, using "contention" instead of "debate" and "vigorous" to describe its intensity.

weighty discussion

Replaces "serious" with "weighty", implying the importance of the discussion.

FAQs

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

You can use "serious debate" to indicate a discussion about an important or complex topic. For example, "The ethical implications of AI development warrant a "serious debate".".

What are some alternatives to "serious debate"?

Alternatives include "intense discussion", "profound discourse", or "earnest deliberation", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "serious debate" formal or informal?

"Serious debate" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for academic, professional, or news contexts. Using it in very informal settings might sound out of place.

What kind of topics usually spark a "serious debate"?

Topics that spark a "serious debate" often involve complex issues with significant consequences, such as climate change, healthcare reform, or economic policy.