a private argument

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a private argument" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a disagreement or discussion that is meant to be kept confidential or is not intended for public knowledge. Example: "They had a private argument about their differing opinions on the project, away from the ears of their colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

That their final hours together would be consumed by a private argument over the pardon of Scooter Libby underscores the distance the two men had traveled.

The New York Times - Magazine

He was the outsider who managed to gatecrash a private argument between the political big boys and propelled his party into the election reckoning.

Independent

Ouseley drew a comparison to the former Chelsea and Aston Villa defender Paul Elliott, a distinguished volunteer and trustee of Kick It Out for 20 years, who had to resign after he used the n-word in a text during a private argument.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In short, this particular employment dispute is far from a purely private argument over compensation".

The New York Times - Sports

Two prisoners bicker while rehearsing a scene, their private argument mirroring the dynamics in the drama.

The New York Times

Though Saudis frequently scoff at what they regard as foreigners' obsession with the driving ban, it is a perennial topic of private argument.

The Economist

This is not a private, internal argument.

Independent

Of course, the president's intervention will backfire if it is perceived as an intrusion by the global elite in a private national argument – Goliath blundering into David's boudoir.

The Guardian - Opinion

It allows millions of people around the world to quickly fetch near-perfect copies of digital music from strangers' hard drives, which makes a "private use" argument hard to support.

Forbes

Cyril makes excuses for him, saying things like, "If breakfast isn't right, it's very hard for him to recover through the rest of the day," but tension and hostility develops between them, and finally explodes over a private dinner argument, the kind of spat where the words get so out of hand, you end up humiliating yourselves rather than each other.

Vice

Studies also show that a prison's effectiveness is less to do with the public vs private argument, but more to do with evaluation, inspections, and transparency.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a private argument" to emphasize the confidential nature of a disagreement, especially when the context involves sensitive information or personal matters.

Common error

Be careful not to use "private" when "personal" is more appropriate. "Private" emphasizes confidentiality, while "personal" emphasizes individual involvement or feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a private argument" functions as a noun phrase, where "private" modifies the noun "argument". It specifies the type of argument, indicating that it is not public or intended for general knowledge.Ludwig AI validates this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a private argument" is grammatically correct and refers to a disagreement intended to be kept confidential. While not very common, according to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. Alternative phrases include "a confidential dispute" or "a personal quarrel", each with slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, ensure that "private" accurately reflects the intended confidentiality, rather than merely the personal nature of the argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a confidential dispute

Focuses on the secrecy aspect of the argument.

a personal quarrel

Highlights the personal nature of the disagreement.

a secluded debate

Emphasizes the isolated setting of the debate.

a closed-door discussion

Refers to the meeting format rather than the argument itself.

an off-the-record disagreement

Highlights the non-public nature of the exchange.

a secret altercation

Implies a more intense and hidden disagreement.

a clandestine dispute

Similar to "secret altercation", but more formal.

a family feud

Specifically refers to a disagreement within a family.

a backroom negotiation

Suggests a more strategic and less emotional disagreement.

a hushed controversy

Emphasizes the quiet nature of the controversy.

FAQs

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

You can use "a private argument" to describe a disagreement that is not meant for public knowledge. For example, "They had "a private argument" about their finances."

What's the difference between "a private argument" and "a public argument"?

"A private argument" is confidential and not intended for public consumption, while "a public argument" is open and known to others.

What can I say instead of "a private argument"?

Alternatives include "a confidential dispute", "a personal quarrel", or "a secret altercation" depending on the context.

Is it always negative to have "a private argument"?

Not necessarily. While arguments often involve conflict, "a private argument" can also refer to a necessary but confidential discussion to resolve differing viewpoints without public scrutiny.