tables a debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tables a debate" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "table a debate"? If this is the case, you can use it when you want to postpone or set aside a discussion or debate for later consideration. Example: "During the meeting, we decided to table a debate on the budget until next week."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The government refused to table a debate and proposed a referendum instead.

Independent

Today I am tabling a debate in the House of Lords on the need for a women's justice board, following the publication, last month, of the government's response to the Baroness Corston report, "a review of women with particular vulnerabilities in the criminal justice system," published in March last year.

The Guardian - Opinion

"If you take well-intentioned people, you can only have a well-intentioned outcome". Ziman said she got over any need to feel right about what she heard April 4. "Eric has suffered a great deal," she said, as workers were laying out tables for a debate she was hosting later that night among the presidential candidates' representatives.

Los Angeles Times

MEPs will call on Wednesday on member states to apply the EU's eight-point code on arms exports more strictly, pointing to the changed security environment in the EU's neighbourhood and stressing that these trade flows are not in the direct security interests of the EU, in a draft resolution tabled for a debate on Wednesday and a vote on Thursday.

European Parliament

Both believed their job was to bring up their children personally, and the dinner table became a debating society.

The Guardian

In the online magazine Slate, he recently fought it out in the Breakfast Table, a daily debate feature, with David Brooks, an editor of the conservative Weekly Standard.

The New York Times

The issue of homophobia within football is gradually gaining political momentum, with Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, describing the absence of openly gay professional footballers in the UK as "outrageous", while two weeks ago MPs tabled a parliamentary debate calling on clubs, supporters and football authorities to eradicate homophobic chanting.

The Guardian

If the backbench committee agrees to table a Commons debate, there is no guarantee the law will be changed.

BBC

Walker delivered his frank and often humorous account of his travails with OCD on 14 June during a debate tabled and led by fellow Conservative Nicky Morgan to address the stigma and isolation of mental illness.

The Guardian

John Bercow, the Commons Speaker, has given John Whittingdale, Conservative MP and chairman of the culture, media and sport select committee, permission to table a motion for a debate on Tuesday over the report's criticism of three former News International executives.

The Guardian

Derek Webb, a multimillionaire former poker player who funds Fairer Gambling out of what he describes as a "social conscience", says the parliamentary code of conduct states that MPs should also declare relevant interests when tabling questions and "in a debate in the House the member should declare an interest briefly, usually at the beginning of his or her speech".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct form, "table a debate", when you want to postpone or set aside a discussion for later. Ensure correct article usage.

Common error

Avoid using the plural form "tables" when you intend to use the verb "table" meaning to postpone. The correct phrase is "table a debate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tables a debate" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "table a debate", where 'table' functions as a verb meaning to postpone or set aside. Ludwig AI flags this as a potential error.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tables a debate" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "table a debate". This phrase means to postpone or defer a discussion. As Ludwig AI points out, using "tables" instead of "table" constitutes a grammatical error. While the intention is clear, proper usage is crucial for maintaining credibility in formal settings. Alternatives like "postpone a debate" or "defer a debate" can be used to convey a similar meaning, while avoiding the grammatical error.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

table a debate

Corrects the grammatical error in the original phrase.

postpone a debate

Replaces 'table' with a direct synonym, focusing on delaying the debate.

defer a debate

Similar to postpone, but implies a more formal or indefinite delay.

shelve a debate

Suggests putting the debate aside, possibly indefinitely.

introduce a debate

Shifts the focus from delaying to initiating a debate.

initiate a debate

Similar to introduce, emphasizing the start of the debate.

launch a debate

Emphasizes the active commencement of a debate.

present a debate

Focuses on the act of bringing a debate forward for consideration.

open a debate

Highlights the beginning or commencement of a debate.

spark a debate

Suggests causing a debate to arise, often unexpectedly.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "tables a debate"?

The correct phrase is "table a debate", where "table" is used as a verb meaning to postpone or set aside for later consideration.

What does "table a debate" mean?

"Table a debate" means to postpone or defer a discussion or debate to a later time. It suggests that the topic is not being completely dismissed but will be addressed in the future.

Are there other ways to say "table a debate"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "postpone a debate", "defer a debate", or "shelve a debate" to convey a similar meaning.

When should I use "table a debate" in a sentence?

Use "table a debate" when you want to formally suggest that a discussion be delayed until a later meeting or date, usually because of time constraints or other priorities.