a sound argument

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sound argument" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing reasoning or logic that is well-founded and persuasive. Example: "In the debate, she presented a sound argument that convinced many of the audience members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The latter evaluates arguments in terms of "soundness," defining a sound argument as a deductively valid inference with true premises that establishes the truth of its conclusion.

SEP

It's a sound argument.

The New Yorker

That's a sound argument to my mind.

The New Yorker

That is a sound argument for not pushing change along precipitously.

The Economist

"I would be prepared to hear a sound argument that something else was at play; this was not a sound argument," Ms. Garry said in an interview.

The New York Times

Logicians and philosophers make a distinction between a valid argument and a sound argument.

The New York Times

At 5-1, he provides a sound argument for settling the dilemma over his younger rivals by rejecting them both.

Independent

On a historical level, of course, West Brom had a sound argument for being Fulham's superiors in this competition.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

We could make a sounder argument if we had quality outcome variables.

Health Care Management Science

There is a perfectly sound argument that a newly elected government should take its most painful decisions quickly while it enjoys a fresh mandate, and should ideally frontload those painful decisions.

The Economist

In the case of each paradox, there appears to be a perfectly sound argument ending in a contradiction.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When constructing an argument, ensure it is not only logically valid but also supported by credible evidence to make it truly "a sound argument".

Common error

Avoid assuming that a valid argument is necessarily "a sound argument". Validity refers to the structure of the argument, while soundness requires both validity and true premises.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sound argument" functions as a noun phrase, where 'sound' acts as an adjective modifying 'argument'. Ludwig examples show it's used to describe the quality and effectiveness of a line of reasoning. It characterizes an argument as logically valid and based on true premises.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sound argument" is a phrase used to describe an argument that is both logically valid and based on true premises, as verified by Ludwig. Its usage is common across various contexts, especially in news, science, and formal communications. The phrase highlights the quality and effectiveness of reasoning, emphasizing its reliability and persuasiveness. While alternatives like "a valid argument" or "a strong argument" exist, "a sound argument" specifies that the premises are also true, making it a stronger endorsement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's crucial to distinguish between validity and soundness when evaluating arguments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a valid argument

Focuses on the logical structure and coherence of the argument.

a strong argument

Emphasizes the forcefulness and persuasiveness of the argument.

a well-founded argument

Highlights the presence of a solid base of evidence and reasoning.

a compelling argument

Stresses the argument's ability to convince and persuade.

a cogent argument

Indicates the argument is clear, logical, and convincing.

a persuasive argument

Highlights the argument's effectiveness in changing opinions.

a convincing argument

Emphasizes the argument's ability to inspire belief or agreement.

a reasoned argument

Implies the argument is based on logic and careful thought.

a logical argument

Highlights the consistent and coherent nature of the argument.

a substantive argument

Suggests the argument has significant content and importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a sound argument" to describe an argument that is both valid and has true premises. For instance, "The lawyer presented "a sound argument" that convinced the jury of his client's innocence."

What's the difference between "a valid argument" and "a sound argument"?

A valid argument is one where if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true. "A sound argument" is a valid argument with true premises. Therefore, a sound argument guarantees a true conclusion.

What are some alternatives to using "a sound argument"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a valid argument", "a strong argument", or "a compelling argument".

How do I construct "a sound argument"?

To construct "a sound argument", ensure your argument is logically valid, meaning the conclusion follows from the premises. Then, verify that all premises are true and supported by evidence.