debates
debates — 名詞
- debatessingular
- debatesesplural
1. a situation in which people express different opinions about an important subjec
討論；辯論
多人就議題表達意見的正式討論
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.
關於氣候變遷的辯論在市政廳進行了好幾個小時。
debate over + topic
Ayesha thinks the debate about school uniforms should include student voices.
Ayesha 認為，關於學校制服問題的討論應該納入學生的意見。
debate about + topic + modal should
A lively debate broke out among the neighbours about the new parking rules.
鄰居們針對新的停車規定展開了一場熱烈的辯論。
There has been much debate in the media about the consequences of the new law.
媒體對於這項新法的後果有許多討論。
- 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
辯論賽
團隊針對議題正反論點比賽的活動
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.
Hoa 上週五在學校辯論比賽中獲得第一名。
compound noun: debate competition
The two teams prepared for the debate for several weeks before the event.
兩支隊伍在比賽前為這場辯論賽準備了好幾個星期。
Feng's school debate club meets every Tuesday afternoon after classes.
Feng 的學校辯論社每週二下午放學後聚會。
Sofia was chosen to lead her team in the final round of the national debate.
Sofia 被選為隊長，帶領隊伍參加全國辯論賽的決賽。
- 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 — 動詞
- 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
辯論
針對某議題進行正式討論
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.
國會議員針對稅制改革提案辯論到深夜。
debate + noun phrase (topic)
The students debated whether the government should provide free university education.
學生們辯論政府是否應該提供免費大學教育。
debate + whether-clause
Ayesha debated with her opponent about the best way to reduce pollution in the city.
Ayesha 與對手辯論如何以最好的方式減少城市污染。
The council debated the plans for a new park before voting on them.
市議會在投票前針對新公園的規劃進行了辯論。
- 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
斟酌；盤算
做決定前仔細考量不同選擇
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.
Andrés 反覆斟酌是要接受那份工作機會，還是留在現在的公司。
debate whether to + verb
Megan debated for days about which university course would suit her interests best.
Megan 好幾天都在考慮哪所大學的課程最適合她的興趣。
debate about + wh-clause
Kasia debated with herself about the best way to tell her parents the news.
Kasia 自己盤算著該用什麼方式把消息告訴父母最好。
Chiara was still debating what to wear to the wedding when her friend arrived.
Chiara 還在猶豫婚禮要穿什麼，朋友就到了。
Ziad debated the pros and cons of buying a car before finally making up his mind.
Ziad 仔細衡量了買車的利弊之後，終於下定決心。
- 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.