a pointless argument

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pointless argument" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a debate or discussion that lacks purpose or value, often implying that it is unproductive. Example: "After hours of back-and-forth, it became clear that we were engaged in a pointless argument that was going nowhere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But Slater described comparisons between athletes from different sports as a "pointless argument".

The New York Times - Sports

"What I convey in the clip," he tells me, "is the exhaustion of having to have a pointless argument, of explaining this to people again and again".

The Guardian

Indeed, before the conversation about "Girls" descended into a pointless argument about whether racial minorities are adequately represented on a program that's clearly supposed to be portraying a narrow and privileged slice of American life, the critical reaction to the show, both positive and negative, grasped pretty directly what Lena Dunham's show is doing.

The New York Times

Literally a pointless argument.

TechCrunch

I could tell you how many times I've seen a gun in the last 10 years being emptied blindly in the midst of a pointless argument as onlookers scatter.

Huffington Post

"The ick" is that feeling you get when your boss reprimands you in front of coworkers, when a crush doesn't text you back, or a significant other says something spiteful during a pointless argument.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Many years ago, not long after I had embarked on my career in journalism, I witnessed a long pointless argument over whether "orang-utan" took a hyphen or not.

Independent

5. VOICE CONTROLLER Online real-time speech can leave gamers feeling they are in a large, pointless argument.

The New York Times - Tech

These words frame a rather pointless argument over whether the administration labeled the attacks "terrorism" early enough and often enough.

The New York Times

This is a pointless debate.

The Economist

Nothing is worse than having a long, drawn out, pointless argument with a teacher that you know you've already lost but you don't want to admit you're wrong.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid repetition, alternate "a pointless argument" with synonyms like "a futile argument" or "a senseless argument" to maintain reader engagement.

Common error

While "a pointless argument" is generally acceptable, avoid using it in highly formal or academic writing where more precise and sophisticated language may be expected. Consider using phrases like "an unproductive debate" or "an exercise in futility" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pointless argument" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'pointless' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'argument'. It describes the type of argument being discussed, characterizing it as lacking purpose or value. As shown in Ludwig, the phrase is used to describe situations where discussions lead nowhere.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a pointless argument" is a grammatically sound and generally accepted way to describe a discussion lacking purpose or value, as validated by Ludwig AI. While it appears most frequently in News & Media and Wiki contexts, writers should consider the formality of their writing and adjust their language accordingly. For example, in more formal settings, phrases like "an unproductive debate" might be more fitting. Remember to use the phrase judiciously, considering whether a more specific adjective might enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a futile argument

This alternative emphasizes the lack of any positive outcome or result from the argument.

a senseless argument

This alternative stresses the lack of logic or reason in the argument.

a meaningless dispute

This alternative highlights the lack of significance or importance of the argument.

a trivial disagreement

This alternative underscores the insignificance of the matter being argued about.

an unproductive debate

This alternative focuses on the absence of any useful outcome from the debate.

a waste of time arguing

This alternative explicitly frames the argument as an inefficient use of one's time.

a profitless squabble

This alternative points out the lack of any benefit or gain from the quarrel.

a fruitless discussion

This alternative underscores that the discussion is not leading to any resolution or progress.

a bootless contention

This alternative suggests that the argument is ineffective and serves no useful purpose.

an empty exchange

This alternative emphasizes the lack of substance or value in the interaction.

FAQs

What does "a pointless argument" mean?

The phrase "a pointless argument" refers to a discussion or debate that lacks a clear purpose, value, or potential for resolution, often considered a waste of time and energy.

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

You can use "a pointless argument" in a sentence like this: "After realizing they were going in circles, they stopped the "fruitless discussion" and agreed it was just "a pointless argument".".

What are some synonyms for "a pointless argument"?

Some synonyms for "a pointless argument" include "a futile argument", "a senseless argument", "a trivial disagreement", and "a meaningless dispute".

Is it appropriate to use "a pointless argument" in formal writing?

While acceptable, "a pointless argument" may be considered too informal for some formal writing contexts. Alternatives like "an unproductive debate" or "an exercise in futility" may be more suitable.