debates
debates — noun
- debatessingular
- debatesesplural
1. a situation in which people express different opinions about an important subjec
a situation in which people express different opinions about an important subject, often in a formal setting where each side presents arguments for and against a view
The debate over climate change lasted for hours in the town hall.
debate over + topic
Ayesha thinks the debate about school uniforms should include student voices.
debate about + topic + modal should
A lively debate broke out among the neighbours about the new parking rules.
There has been much debate in the media about the consequences of the new law.
- discussion
more general and less formal; a discussion does not require opposing sides
- argument
suggests stronger disagreement and is often more emotional than a debate
- dispute
emphasises conflict and disagreement over a long period
- agreement
a state where all parties share the same opinion
文法句型
debate + over/about/on + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently used with prepositions 'over', 'about', or 'on' to introduce the topic. As an uncountable noun, it refers to the general activity of debating without referring to one specific event.
常見錯誤
2. a formal contest in which two teams argue for and against a statement, and judge
a formal contest in which two teams argue for and against a statement, and judges decide which team presents the stronger arguments
Hoa won first place in the school debate competition last Friday.
compound noun: debate competition
The two teams prepared for the debate for several weeks before the event.
Feng's school debate club meets every Tuesday afternoon after classes.
Sofia was chosen to lead her team in the final round of the national debate.
- tournament
a broader term for a series of contests, not limited to debating
- contest
general term for any competition, less specific than debate
文法句型
debate + noun (compound): debate team, debate club, debate competition
the + [adjective] + debate: the final debate, the school debate
用法筆記
This sense often appears in compound nouns such as 'debate team', 'debate club', and 'debate competition'. The topic of a competition debate is called a 'motion' or 'proposition'.
常見錯誤
debates — verb
- debatespresent simple I / you / we / they
- debateses3rd person singular
- debatesing-ing form
- debatesedpast simple
1. to take part in a formal discussion about a subject, presenting arguments for or
to take part in a formal discussion about a subject, presenting arguments for or against a particular position, often in a public meeting or political setting
Members of parliament debated the proposed tax changes until late at night.
debate + noun phrase (topic)
The students debated whether the government should provide free university education.
debate + whether-clause
Ayesha debated with her opponent about the best way to reduce pollution in the city.
The council debated the plans for a new park before voting on them.
- agree
to share the same opinion rather than present opposing views
文法句型
debate + noun phrase (topic)
debate + whether/wh-clause
debate + with + person + about/over + topic
用法筆記
When the opponent is mentioned, use 'with' (debated with someone). When the topic is introduced, 'about' or 'over' is natural in all registers, though the direct object form (debate the issue) is more common in formal writing.
常見錯誤
2. to think carefully about different choices or possibilities in your mind before
to think carefully about different choices or possibilities in your mind before making a decision on a personal matter
Andrés debated whether to accept the job offer or stay with his current company.
debate whether to + verb
Megan debated for days about which university course would suit her interests best.
debate about + wh-clause
Kasia debated with herself about the best way to tell her parents the news.
Chiara was still debating what to wear to the wedding when her friend arrived.
Ziad debated the pros and cons of buying a car before finally making up his mind.
- decide
to reach a conclusion rather than remain in the process of thinking
文法句型
debate + whether/wh-clause
debate + noun phrase (options, pros and cons)
debate + with + oneself + about/over + topic
用法筆記
This sense is always about internal decision-making — unlike sense 1, it does NOT involve another person or an audience. The object is typically a choice, option, or question expressed with 'whether' or a wh-clause.