this question was debated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this question was debated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a topic or issue that has been discussed or argued by individuals or groups. Example: "In the academic community, this question was debated extensively during the conference last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

By coincidence, this question was debated in London on Wednesday evening, at the last of the Westminster Faith Debates.

The Guardian - Opinion

The last time this question was debated was 2010, when then-chairman Stephen Green left to join the government.

The Guardian - Business

This question was debated only semi-seriously when the Co-op Group was diluted to 30% ownership in last year's capital-raising.

The Guardian

This question was debated on March 15th at a conference on corporate citizenship held in New York by The Economist (and chaired by this columnist). Corporate citizenship" is one of several phrases used to describe explicit efforts by companies to improve the state of the world.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

As the question was debated, something odd happened.

The Guardian - Books

Given this context, the question being debated in newspapers and on the airwaves now is this: Does the rial's precipitous fall prove that sanctions have hurt Iran's economy to the point that Tehran is now willing to talk about dismantling its enrichment program?

Huffington Post

Architecture can, without question, be debated in the public arena".

The New York Times

I'm sure variations on this question are being debated in dozens of places around the city and the country as the movement tries to figure out its next stage beyond physical occupation of parks, which seems to have ended.

The New Yorker

This question is being debated throughout the world, with intense lobbying of all parties by both the South African government and the country's liberation movements, which advocate the continuation of sanctions.

The New Yorker

This question is being debated vociferously in Israel today, not only by academics and pundits but by Israel's own president and prime minister.

Huffington Post

One of the major questions being debated in this field is whether DNA surveys adequately capture the pattern of adaptive as opposed to neutral variation (Reed and Frankham 2001; van Tienderen et al. 2004).

Evolutionary Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this question was debated", ensure that the context clearly identifies which question you are referring to. Avoid ambiguity by providing sufficient background information.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice ("") can make writing sound less direct. Consider using active voice for a more engaging style: "People debated this question."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this question was debated" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a particular question was the subject of a debate. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English. The focus is on the action (debated) rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this question was debated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate that a particular question has been the subject of discussion or argument. Ludwig AI shows that this expression is correct and usable in written English. The phrase is generally considered neutral in register, suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and academic writing. While active voice constructions may sometimes be preferable for a more direct style, the passive voice of "" is appropriate when emphasizing the action over the actor. Related phrases include "this issue was discussed" and "this topic was considered". To avoid ambiguity, ensure that the context clearly identifies the question being referenced.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this issue was discussed

Replaces 'debated' with 'discussed', suggesting a less formal exchange of ideas.

this question was subject to debate

Emphasizes that the question was the focus or target of debate.

this topic was considered

Replaces 'question' with 'topic' and 'debated' with 'considered', implying a more thoughtful evaluation.

this matter was argued

Replaces 'question' with 'matter' and 'debated' with 'argued', emphasizing a more contentious discussion.

this point was contested

Replaces 'question' with 'point' and 'debated' with 'contested', highlighting disagreement and opposition.

this was a much-debated question

Changes the structure to an adjectival phrase emphasizing the extent of the debate.

there was a debate on this question

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the existence of a debate.

this question has been under discussion

Shifts the focus to an ongoing discussion rather than a specific debate.

this question elicited considerable debate

Highlights that the question itself caused or prompted the debate.

the merits of this question were examined

Focuses on the evaluation of the question's worth or value.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "this question was debated" to sound more active?

You can use active voice constructions such as "People debated "this question"" or "The panel debated "this question"" for a more direct tone.

What are some synonyms for "debated" in the phrase "this question was debated"?

Alternatives include "discussed", "argued", "contested", or "examined", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For instance, you can say "this question was "this question was discussed"".

Is it better to use active or passive voice when writing "this question was debated"?

It depends on the context. Passive voice ("") is appropriate when the action is more important than the actor. Active voice (e.g., "The experts debated this question") is better when you want to emphasize who performed the action.

What's the difference between "this question was debated" and "this question was discussed"?

While both imply an exchange of ideas, "debated" suggests a more formal or contentious discussion, involving opposing viewpoints. "Discussed" is a more general term for talking about a topic, as in "this question was "this question was discussed"".