debatably
debatably — 副詞
1. in a way that people can reasonably disagree about because the facts or opinions
有爭議地
以引發爭論或不同意的方式
in a way that people can reasonably disagree about because the facts or opinions are not clear-cut
The decision to close the hospital was debatably the right one, since it saved money but hurt local patients.
關閉醫院的決定是否正確是有爭議的，因為它省了錢卻傷害了當地病人。
sentence adverb: modifies whole clause
Yuki's latest film is debatably her best work, though critics remain sharply divided on that point.
Yuki 的最新電影是否是她最好的作品是有爭議的，儘管影評人對此仍有嚴重分歧。
The new policy is debatably fairer than the old one, depending on whom you ask.
這項新政策是否比舊政策更公平是有爭議的，取決於你問誰。
- arguably
more common and neutral; 'arguably' often introduces a position the speaker supports, while 'debatably' stresses the presence of disagreement
- controversially
stronger connotation of public dispute; 'controversially' implies the topic causes strong feelings
- undeniably
suggests no room for disagreement at all
- indisputably
even stronger certainty; the opposite of open to doubt
文法句型
debatably + [clause]
[clause], debatably ...
常見錯誤
debatably — 形容詞
1. not clearly true, correct, or good — causing reasonable doubt about the quality
存疑的
真實性或品質令人懷疑的
not clearly true, correct, or good — causing reasonable doubt about the quality or validity of something
The quality of his research is debatable because he used only a very small sample of people.
他研究的品質是存疑的，因為他只使用了非常小的樣本人數。
be + debatable + because-clause showing reason for doubt
It is debatable whether the new medicine works better than the old one, since the test results are mixed.
新藥是否比舊藥更有效是存疑的，因為測試結果好壞參半。
Omar called the company's safety record debatable after examining the accident reports.
Omar 在檢查事故報告後，認為該公司的安全紀錄是存疑的。
- questionable
slightly stronger doubt about correctness or morality; 'questionable' often carries a negative tone
- doubtful
focuses on the speaker's personal uncertainty rather than general disagreement
- disputable
more formal and narrower in use; implies a formal challenge
文法句型
be + debatable
it is debatable + whether/if + clause
用法筆記
Subject is typically an abstract noun (quality, value, truth, usefulness) or a that-clause. Less common with animate subjects — you would not normally say 'He is debatable'.
常見錯誤
2. able to be reasonably argued from more than one point of view, without a single
可議的
可從不同觀點合理討論的
able to be reasonably argued from more than one point of view, without a single correct answer
It is debatable whether children under twelve should have their own smartphones.
十二歲以下的孩子是否該有自己的智慧型手機，這個問題是可議的。
It is debatable whether… — the standard pattern for stating a two-sided question
Whether the government should spend more on roads or schools is certainly debatable among voters.
政府應該在道路還是學校上花更多錢，這個問題在選民中當然是可議的。
The best way to learn a second language is a debatable topic in education circles.
學習第二語言的最佳方法在教育界是一個可議的話題。
- arguable
essentially interchangeable, but 'arguable' focuses on the existence of supporting arguments rather than disagreement
- open to debate
a phrase rather than a single word; more conversational
- moot
suggests the debate is academic or has no practical effect
- settled
the question has been resolved
- undisputed
everyone agrees; no debate remains
文法句型
be + debatable
it is debatable + whether/if + clause
用法筆記
Distinguish from adj sense 1 (QUESTIONABLE): 'debatable' in the ARGUABLE sense does not imply doubt about truth or quality — it simply acknowledges that honest, informed people can hold different positions. The topic itself is open to discussion.