debate the issue

Meaning

This phrase means to discuss a specific topic, problem, or proposal formally or informally, usually by presenting different opinions and arguments. It is used when people are trying to make a decision or understand different viewpoints on a matter.

Examples

• The city council met last night to debate the issue of public transport funding.

  The city council met last night to debate the issue of public transport funding.

• Instead of arguing, we should sit down and calmly debate the issue.

  Instead of arguing, we should sit down and calmly debate the issue.

• Politicians have been debating the issue of tax reform for several months now.

  Politicians have been debating the issue of tax reform for several months now.

• The students were asked to research and debate the issue of climate change in class.

  The students were asked to research and debate the issue of climate change in class.

• We don't have time to debate the issue; we need to make a decision immediately.

  We don't have time to debate the issue; we need to make a decision immediately.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ They spent hours debating about the issue.

  ✓ They spent hours debating the issue.

  'Debate' is a transitive verb when referring to a specific topic, so you do not need the preposition 'about' directly after it.

• ✗ We need to make a debate on the issue.

  ✓ We need to debate the issue.

  You 'have' or 'hold' a debate, but you do not 'make' a debate. Alternatively, use 'debate' directly as a verb.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The council will meet tomorrow to ___ in front of the public.

  💡 Discuss a controversial or open topic from different viewpoints.

  Show answer

  debate the issue

• There is no point trying to ___ if everyone already agrees with the plan.

  💡 Have a discussion about a specific problem or topic.

  Show answer

  debate the issue