very debated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very debated" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used to describe a topic or issue that is the subject of significant discussion or controversy, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "The proposal for the new policy is very debated among experts in the field."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Very debated results were found when determining the Ka/Ks ratio, a tentative indicator of positive Darwinian selection, in the coding region of genes expressed in the mammalian brain [ 5- 7].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But there is a very real debate about his exact worth going on.

BBC

The very debate about where to retire captured the dual loyalties of immigrants.

The New York Times

The very debate as to whether golf should be in the Olympic equation also applies.

The Guardian - Sport

Todd: The $2.2tn question!!! Everything you're seeing now is about gaining leverage in the very debate you're talking about.

The Guardian

But if this is true, should we not then ask what neuroscience could possible contribute to the very debate we are engaged in at this moment?

The New York Times

Does the very debate about assisted suicide legitimize the dark impulse that drives other people to take their own lives, leaving behind loved ones bewildered by a death they neither sought nor approved nor understood?

The New York Times

Alas, in the world of disease prevention, health promotion, and lifestyle as medicine, those are the very debates that prevail.

Huffington Post

Now, as federal courts in state after state deem such bans unconstitutional -- most recently, in Wisconsin last week -- Cordileone has become a player in the very debate over polarization.

Los Angeles Times

And Trump broke with standard Republican policy in this very debate, saying he would want to "leave Social Security the way it is". .

Los Angeles Times

This very debate is a smoking gun, meant to distract us from an even greater assault on basic rights the NSA's routine violations of our privacy.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the nuance you want to convey; "highly controversial" emphasizes strong disagreement, while "much discussed" simply notes frequent conversation.

Common error

Avoid relying on "very" to intensify adjectives; it often weakens the impact. Instead, choose a stronger, more precise adjective. For example, replace "very debated" with "contentious" or "disputable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very debated" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun (typically a topic, issue, or idea) as being the subject of significant discussion and disagreement. While Ludwig AI signals the phrase may sound awkward, examples show it used in both news and scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "very debated" describes a topic under significant discussion and disagreement. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI advises that it is less common and stylistically inferior to alternatives like "widely debated" or "highly controversial". Its usage spans news and scientific contexts, reflecting a neutral to formal register. For clearer and more impactful writing, consider stronger adjectives or phrases that convey the intended nuance more precisely. The frequency of "very debated" is rare, indicating a preference for alternative expressions in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widely debated

This alternative is more common and suggests broad discussion and disagreement.

actively debated

Suggests that the debate is ongoing and dynamic.

heavily contested

Implies a strong disagreement and active dispute over a particular issue.

highly controversial

This suggests the topic provokes strong opposing opinions and emotional responses.

hotly disputed

This phrase suggests a heated and intense disagreement.

much discussed

This alternative indicates frequent conversation and analysis, lacking the overtone of disagreement.

a matter of contention

This phrase indicates that the topic is a source of disagreement or dispute.

subject to debate

Indicates that the topic is open for discussion and differing opinions.

open to question

Suggests that the matter is uncertain and not yet settled.

under discussion

Indicates that the topic is currently being talked about and considered.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "very debated"?

Alternatives include "widely debated", "much discussed", or "highly controversial", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "very debated" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "very debated" is less common and can sound awkward. More standard and impactful phrases like "heavily debated" or "actively debated" are generally preferred.

In what contexts is "very debated" most likely to be used?

Based on the provided examples, "very debated" might appear in news articles or scientific papers, though alternative phrasings are more typical. It's suitable where the aim is to describe a topic subject to considerable discussion.

How can I improve my writing to avoid phrases like "very debated"?

Focus on using precise and strong adjectives that don't require intensifiers like "very". For instance, instead of "very important", use "essential" or "crucial". Replacing "very debated" with "hotly disputed", or "heavily contested" leads to more impactful writing.