topic of intense debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "topic of intense debate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing subjects that are highly contested or controversial, often in academic, political, or social contexts. Example: "The topic of intense debate among scholars is the impact of climate change on global economies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

This has long been a topic of intense debate in psychology.

The New York Times

How far that relationship extends today remains a topic of intense debate, Western officials said.

The New York Times

As it happens, national identity is now a topic of intense debate in several European countries.

The New York Times

Like abortion, he said, slavery was the topic of intense debate at the ends of the political spectrum, but ignored by the vast majority in the middle.

The New York Times

How to encourage children, especially girls, to pursue a career in science is a topic of intense debate, fuelled by shocking statistics.

The Guardian - Tech

There, however, the growing number of women who insist on going topless in defiance of the police has become a topic of intense debate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Other issues, however, are still topics of intense debate.

Environmental Health Perspectives

However, the physiologic importance of these various progenitor populations and their contribution to cardiomyocyte replenishment in the normal or injured adult heart remain topics of intense debate.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

Literary culture continued to be a subject of intense debate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Pornography itself remains the subject of intense debate.

Independent

The repayment terms remain the subject of intense debate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "topic of intense debate", ensure the context clearly establishes the opposing viewpoints. Providing a brief summary of these perspectives can enhance clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "topic of intense debate" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "hotly debated subject" or "controversial issue" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "topic of intense debate" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a subject which is generating considerable disagreement. Examples in Ludwig show this phrase introducing various contested issues across different fields.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "topic of intense debate" serves to introduce subjects characterized by substantial disagreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct. While not exceedingly frequent, it is versatile, fitting both news and scientific discourse. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates opposing views. For less formal settings, alternatives like "hotly debated subject" may be more fitting. To enhance clarity, consider adding a brief summary of opposing viewpoints, preventing the phrase from being an overstatement or used in contexts where the subject is just generating discussion without significant levels of conflict. Remember to consult authoritative sources to support your claims and maintain objectivity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subject of heated discussion

Replaces "topic" with "subject" and "intense debate" with "heated discussion", reducing the formality and intensity.

matter of significant contention

Substitutes "topic" with "matter" and "intense debate" with "significant contention", increasing formality.

point of considerable controversy

Changes "topic" to "point" and "intense debate" to "considerable controversy", offering a slightly more formal tone.

issue of ongoing dispute

Replaces "topic" with "issue" and "intense debate" with "ongoing dispute", softening the intensity of the disagreement.

area of vigorous contention

Substitutes "topic" with "area" and "intense debate" with "vigorous contention", maintaining a relatively formal tone.

focus of much argument

Simplifies the phrase by using "focus" instead of "topic" and "much argument" instead of "intense debate", making it less formal.

bone of contention

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the idea of a dispute, differing significantly in structure and tone.

hotly debated subject

Reverses the structure and uses "hotly debated" as an adjective, offering a more concise alternative.

contentious issue

Condenses the phrase into two words, making it a more direct and less verbose option.

divisive topic

Uses a single adjective to describe the topic, offering a simpler and less emphatic alternative.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "topic of intense debate"?

You can use alternatives like "subject of heated discussion", "matter of significant contention", or "contentious issue" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

How can I use "topic of intense debate" in a sentence?

Use "topic of intense debate" to introduce a subject that is currently generating significant disagreement or controversy. For example: "The environmental impact of the new factory is a topic of intense debate among local residents."

What makes "topic of intense debate" different from "topic of discussion"?

"Topic of intense debate" implies a significant level of disagreement and opposing viewpoints, while "topic of discussion" simply suggests that a subject is being talked about, without necessarily implying conflict or controversy.

Is "topic of intense debate" suitable for academic writing?

Yes, "topic of intense debate" is suitable for academic writing. It is often used to introduce complex issues or research questions that are subject to ongoing scholarly disagreement. However, ensure that your writing maintains a neutral and objective tone.