Arguably

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "Arguably" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to introduce a statement that is open to debate or interpretation. Example: "Arguably, this is the best solution to the problem." Alternative expressions include "It can be argued that" and "One could say that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Birdman, arguably, has a solemn dimension to it, but not really The Grand Budapest Hotel, despite being inspired by a writer (Stefan Zweig) who famously committed suicide in despair at the rise of the Nazis.

The Guardian - Film

Icac concluded in its report that the Obeids had arranged for another mining company vying for the licence to withdraw its application, which it suggested was "arguably illegal" under competition law.

The Guardian

Mackenzie was the editor of the Sun when it sold more than 4m copies and was arguably at its most influential in Thatcherite Britain.

The Guardian - Opinion

True to their style, one that has made them arguably the most enjoyable team to watch in Spain this season, the team that went on a 28-game run of scoring in every match, Villarreal showed personality as well as precision and pace.

The Guardian - Sport

They said: "Voters have gone to them from the Lib Dems and Labour and the fear factor that the Conservatives have driven in England of the SNP holding the balance of power has clearly driven voters towards them, at the expense of the Lib Dems and arguably more dramatically Labour".

The Guardian

It must have been an extraordinary experience to get a glimpse of such a secret secret world but one which is arguably more vital than ever right now".

The Guardian

"I think Novak's the same: he's got these two guys who are arguably the two greatest guys ever, and he's trying to be on an equal footing.

The Guardian - Sport

But arguably none have been as committed to the cause in recent months as Lee, who declared a "war on poverty" last November.

The Guardian

And that Rooney should have to share it … well, yes of course, sure, let her share it by all means with Cate Blanchett who was, arguably in fact, the senior thespian partner in this passionate love story.

The Guardian - Film

Arguably, the best known of his budgets was the so-called "omnishambles" budget of 2012.

The Guardian

She now believes that Charlie Hebdo's "controversial images – while arguably tasteless, offensive and not even particularly well-drawn – sprang from satire, not hate".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "Arguably" with strong evidence or reasoning to strengthen your argument. While the word itself acknowledges uncertainty, backing it up with solid support makes your point more persuasive.

Common error

Avoid using "Arguably" as a substitute for actual evidence or reasoning. Simply stating something is "arguably" true doesn't make it so. Always provide supporting information to back up your claims.

Linguistic Context

Arguably functions primarily as an adverb, modifying a verb, adjective, or entire clause to indicate that the statement is open to debate or interpretation. Ludwig AI indicates, this adverb introduces a degree of uncertainty while presenting a viewpoint.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Film

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Arguably is a frequently used adverb that signals a statement is open to debate, as Ludwig AI confirms. It’s grammatically correct and appears most often in news, sports, and film contexts. When using "Arguably", it's best practice to support the statement with evidence, avoiding overuse without justification. Alternative phrases like "debatably" or "possibly" can provide similar shades of meaning. Its presence across various authoritative sources underscores its role in nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Debatably

Emphasizes the point is open to discussion and disagreement.

Possibly

Suggests something might be true, but without strong evidence.

Conceivably

Indicates something is within the realm of possibility, though not necessarily likely.

Plausibly

Suggests the statement is believable or has a reasonable basis.

It could be argued

More formal way of introducing a debatable point.

One might say

Softens the statement, presenting it as a personal opinion.

Perhaps

Expresses uncertainty or doubt about the statement.

Presumably

Suggests something is likely based on available evidence, but not definitively proven.

In all likelihood

Indicates a high probability, but still acknowledges uncertainty.

Seemingly

Indicates something appears to be the case, but may not be entirely true.

FAQs

How can I use "Arguably" in a sentence?

"Arguably" is used to introduce a statement that is possibly true, but open to debate. For example, "Arguably, this is the best solution to the problem."

What are some alternatives to "Arguably"?

You can use alternatives like "debatably", "possibly", or "conceivably" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "arguably" or "in my opinion"?

"Arguably" suggests there is a basis for the statement beyond personal opinion, while "in my opinion" explicitly frames it as a subjective viewpoint. Choose the phrase that best reflects the nature of your claim.

What's the difference between "Arguably" and "Undoubtedly"?

"Arguably" introduces a statement that is open to discussion and potential disagreement, whereas "Undoubtedly" implies the statement is unquestionably true and beyond dispute.