a slight argument

USAGE SUMMARY

"a slight argument" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a disagreement or dispute that is not very heated, serious, or intense. For example: "The two friends had a slight argument about which movie to watch, but soon made up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Someone from Adele's people was not let inside so there were a slight argument and I used that situation, where the security guys were busy with them, to get on the red carpet.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Then there was a very slight argument – or so I thought – with the head of another enterprise in which I was involved.

The Guardian - Opinion

Give your head a slight tilt.

WikiHow

And, once the one opening was dashed violently from his grasp, the end came with a finality that brooked not the slightest argument.

The Guardian - Sport

A slight firm tilt.

The New Yorker

Granted, there is a slight crimp in the argument when you consider that James McAvoy wouldn't be out of nappies.

The Guardian - Film

Elizabeth Hanly Rice, without so much as a flicker of the eye, can let you feel Andrea's pleasure in recognizing a weakness in someone or a slight opening in an argument that she can exploit.

The New York Times

Notice that a slight variant of this argument (see for instance Sect. 14.2) leads to establish that x is a Lebesgue point of D u in the usual sense.

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

The argument requires a slight extension of our epistemic logic, to accommodate the notion of knowability.

SEP

42 My argument suggests this is a slight oversimplification.

Bioethics

My partner and I would cut the tedium of our directionless existences with meaningless arguments, usually predicated on a slight I had committed in his eyes.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slight argument" to downplay the seriousness of a disagreement, especially when aiming for a neutral or conciliatory tone. For instance, when summarizing an event, it softens the description of a conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "a slight argument" when the disagreement was actually heated or consequential. Overly minimizing a serious conflict can be misleading and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight argument" functions as a noun phrase that describes a type of disagreement. Ludwig indicates that it's a valid and usable phrase. The adjective "slight" modifies the noun "argument", indicating that the disagreement is minor or not very serious.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slight argument" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a minor disagreement or dispute. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to downplay the seriousness of a conflict and maintain a neutral tone. Usage is prevalent in news and media, science, and general writing. While versatile, be mindful of the actual severity of the situation to avoid misrepresentation. Consider using alternative phrases like "a minor disagreement" or "a small dispute" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor disagreement

This alternative uses "disagreement" instead of "argument", softening the intensity of the conflict.

a light disagreement

Modifies "disagreement" with "light", indicating a less serious and intense conflict.

a small dispute

Replaces "argument" with "dispute", suggesting a more formal or legal context.

a petty quarrel

Substitutes "argument" with "quarrel", indicating a trivial and often childish disagreement.

a brief contention

Uses "contention" to signify a verbal disagreement, implying a more formal or intellectual exchange.

a mild difference of opinion

Replaces "argument" with a more neutral expression, highlighting the difference in viewpoints rather than conflict.

a friendly debate

Suggests a more amicable discussion, where the focus is on exchanging ideas rather than winning an argument.

a minor conflict

Replaces "argument" with "conflict", emphasizing the clash of interests or ideas, albeit on a small scale.

a trivial squabble

Uses "squabble" to denote a noisy and petty argument, often involving trivial matters.

a spot of bother

This idiomatic expression implies a minor and often temporary problem or disagreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slight argument" to describe a minor disagreement or dispute. For example: "They had "a slight argument" over which restaurant to go to, but they quickly resolved it."

What are some synonyms for "a slight argument"?

Some synonyms for "a slight argument" include "a minor disagreement", "a small dispute", or "a mild difference of opinion".

Is "a slight argument" formal or informal?

"A slight argument" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone of the writing.

When is it inappropriate to use "a slight argument"?

It's inappropriate to use "a slight argument" when the disagreement was significant, serious, or resulted in substantial consequences. In such cases, a more descriptive phrase like "a major conflict" or "a heated debate" would be more suitable.