a first argument

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a first argument" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing or referencing the initial point or reasoning in a discussion or debate. Example: "In this paper, I will present a first argument for the necessity of renewable energy sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

You can add a different phase level for identifier lookups as a first argument.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This was a first argument against one general belief of his time, championed first by Carl Linneaus and then Jean Guillaume Bruguière, that all fossil species unknown in the modern biota are living in some remote part of the globe.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

A first argument from STR to perdurantism goes as follows: STR shows space to be much like time, objects extend in space by having spatial parts, so objects persist through time by having temporal parts.

SEP

As a first argument, note that the problem (17 - 19 17 - 19ses the evident a possessestheatevident0< t< T}mu^{2} int_{Q_{varepriori}} biglvestimateamax_{f {u}^{varepsilon}( mathbf{x},t) bigrvert ^{2},dx< C_{0<, (20) where (C_{0}) is independent<of ε.

Boundary Value Problems

These results provide a first argument suggesting that dofetilide-induced STVQT might have a rhythmic feature.

British Journal of Pharmacology

A first argument is that research evidence on patient preferences adds to other knowledge bases and is therefore important for decision making.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

A second argument was held in October.

The New York Times

A second argument is for insurance.

The New York Times - Books

A fourth argument for embracing catastrophic thinking comes from history.

The New York Times

A second argument is that staff will benefit.

The Guardian - Business

But Mr. Muhammad's lawyers made a second argument as well.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting multiple arguments, clearly label the first one as "a first argument" to provide structure and guide the reader through your reasoning.

Common error

Avoid using "a first argument" if you don't intend to present additional arguments. If only one argument exists, simply state the argument without numbering it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a first argument" functions as an introductory marker in a discourse. It signals the beginning of a line of reasoning or justification. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a first argument" is a useful introductory device that signals the beginning of a series of reasons or justifications. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It commonly appears in science, news, and academic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure that you plan to present additional arguments to avoid redundancy. Alternatives such as "an initial point" or "the primary reason" can be used depending on the specific context. The effectiveness of "a first argument" lies in its ability to provide structure and guide the reader through a line of reasoning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an initial point

Replaces 'argument' with 'point', emphasizing a specific idea or consideration being introduced.

the primary reason

Focuses on the reasoning behind something, suggesting a cause-and-effect relationship.

a preliminary contention

Uses 'contention' to highlight a position being asserted, and 'preliminary' to denote its initial nature.

the opening statement

Refers to a formal declaration or introduction of an argument or case.

a basic premise

Highlights the foundational aspect of the argument, focusing on a fundamental assumption.

the starting premise

Similar to 'basic premise', this phrase emphasizes the commencement or initial stage of the argument.

the foremost consideration

Highlights importance, focusing on the most significant aspect to consider at the beginning.

a key justification

Emphasizes the act of providing reasons to support a claim from the beginning.

an introductory rationale

Stresses the explanation or logical basis presented at the beginning.

the initial rationale

Similar to "an introductory rationale", this focuses on the reasoning that starts a discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "a first argument" in a sentence?

You can use "a first argument" to introduce the initial point in a series of reasons or justifications, such as "A first argument in favor of this policy is its potential to reduce carbon emissions."

What's a good alternative to "a first argument"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "an initial point", "the primary reason", or "the opening statement".

Is it necessary to label my initial argument as "a first argument"?

While not always necessary, labeling your initial argument as "a first argument" is helpful when you plan to present multiple arguments. It provides a clear structure for your audience.

Can I use "a first argument" even if I only have one argument?

It's generally better to avoid using "a first argument" if you don't have subsequent arguments. In such cases, it's more concise to simply state the argument directly.