we debated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we debated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a topic or issue that was considered and discussed among a group of people. Example: "During the meeting, we debated the merits of implementing a new marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We debated it.

Cornell University

We debated this vigorously.

The Guardian

"We debated that one for a month.

The New York Times

"We debated for a year.

The New York Times

Surprised, we debated his motivations.

The New York Times

"We debated the size of the paper.

The New Yorker

"We debated it for three hours.

The New York Times

We debated whether to run it.

The New York Times

"We debated making that last change," Coach Bruce Arena said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Arguably we debated longer than most juries," he added.

The Guardian - Film

We marched, we debated, we won the argument.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we debated" to indicate a discussion involving differing viewpoints and a degree of disagreement. It implies a more structured or formal discussion than simply 'we talked'.

Common error

Don't use "we debated" if the conversation didn't involve differing opinions or any form of disagreement. "We discussed" is a more suitable option for neutral conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we debated" typically functions as a verb phrase indicating a past action where a group engaged in a discussion involving differing viewpoints. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where the phrase appears in similar contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we debated" is a versatile phrase used to describe a discussion involving differing opinions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly found in news articles and academic texts. While "we discussed" can be a substitute, "we debated" specifically implies a more formal or contentious exchange. Avoid using "we debated about", and ensure the context warrants the implication of differing viewpoints rather than a simple conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we discussed

Replaces 'debated' with a more general term for talking about a topic.

we argued

Implies a stronger disagreement than 'debated'.

we deliberated

Suggests a more formal and careful consideration.

we considered

Focuses on the act of thinking about something, rather than the discussion.

we conferred

Emphasizes consulting with each other.

we contested

Highlights the act of challenging a point of view.

we negotiated

Implies trying to reach an agreement.

we questioned

Focuses on the act of inquiry and doubt.

we analyzed

Suggests a detailed examination of a topic.

we examined

Highlights a close inspection or investigation.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "we debated"?

You can use alternatives like "we discussed", "we argued", or "we considered" depending on the context.

How to use "we debated" in a sentence?

"We debated" is followed by the topic of discussion. For example, "We debated the merits of the new policy" or "We debated whether to proceed with the project".

What's the difference between "we debated" and "we discussed"?

"We debated" implies a more formal and potentially contentious discussion with differing viewpoints, while "we discussed" suggests a more general and neutral conversation.

Is "we debated about" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, it's more concise and grammatically preferable to say "we debated" followed directly by the topic, avoiding the unnecessary "about". For example, say "We debated the issue" instead of "We debated about the issue".