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Preposition before noun

To debut or on debut?

Debut is commonly used as a verb without a preposition. On debut is a standard phrase meaning during a first appearance.

Quick answer

Which form is correct?

Use debut as a verb, as in The singer debuted last night. Use on debut to talk about performance during a first appearance. The phrase to debut can appear when to is part of an infinitive, not a fixed preposition.

The actor scored twice on debut.
She hopes to debut in the spring collection.
The young player impressed everyone on debut.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
on debut

Describing something during a first appearance

On debut means during a person's or team's first performance or appearance.

The goalkeeper kept a clean sheet on debut.
The band received excellent reviews on debut.
2
debut as a verb

Talking about a first public appearance

Debut can be used directly as a verb without a preposition.

The designer will debut a new collection in Paris.
She debuted at the national theatre last year.
3
to debut + event or role

Using the infinitive form

To debut is grammatical when to belongs to the infinitive verb form.

He plans to debut next month.
The product is expected to debut internationally this year.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
on debut
The striker scored on debut.
Correct phrase meaning during the first appearance.
to debut
The singer is scheduled to debut in June.
Correct infinitive form of the verb debut.
debut in
She debuted in a television drama.
Verb pattern showing the field or production of the first appearance.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Treating to debut as a fixed prepositional phrase

In to debut, to usually marks the infinitive form of the verb, not a preposition before a noun.

✓ The athlete hopes to debut next season.

Using on debut for future plans

On debut refers to the time of the first appearance itself.

✕ She plans on debut next year. ✓ She plans to debut next year.

Adding an unnecessary preposition after debuted

Debut can directly take an object or stand alone.

✕ The company debuted with a new app yesterday. ✓ The company debuted a new app yesterday.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The defender scored ___ debut.
2. She hopes ___ debut in London this year.
3. The actor ___ in a historical drama.

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Frequently asked questions

Is debut a noun or a verb?

It can be both. A debut is a first appearance, and to debut means to make a first appearance.

Can I say on his debut?

Yes. On his debut and on her debut are common in sports and entertainment writing.

Is debuted with correct English?

It appears in some contexts, but many writers prefer debuted directly with an object or debuted in a place or production.

to, amount, in, amount, of, amount "to availability" or "of availability"? "to bed" or "in bed"? "to bit" or "by bit"? "to bottom" or "at bottom"? to, by, from, with or of ear? "to charity", "for charity" or "of charity"? "to coast" or "from coast"? "to cycle" or "of cycle"? "to deal" or "of deal"? "to editor" or "of editor"? "to end" or "on end"?

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