Grammar fix
a heated debate
intense argument or discussion
a discussion or argument in which people express strong emotions and opinions, often raising their voices or becoming passionate.
collocationC1common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
There was a heated debate over the new policy at yesterday's meeting.
In my opinion, introducing stricter regulations on social media would spark a heated debate among both users and policymakers.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: We had a hot debate about it.
Say: We had a heated debate about it.
It's a 'heated' debate, not a 'hot' debate.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Vociferous discussion ensued' is bookish; 'heated debate' is the natural collocation.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
a heated debate about
- about
- over
- sparked
- ensued