an argument ensued

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an argument ensued" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a disagreement or dispute followed a particular event or statement. Example: "After the controversial decision was announced, an argument ensued among the team members about the best course of action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Why an argument ensued is unclear.

The New York Times

The boat was soon freed, but an argument ensued.

The New York Times - Science

The other truck driver spoke up and an argument ensued.

The New Yorker

The boy refused to go home and an argument ensued.

The New Yorker

Unesco intervened, an argument ensued and work was stopped.

The Guardian - Opinion

Several people were in the street when an argument ensued over money.

The New York Times

Later, when a wrong dish was served, an argument ensued over whether it would be changed.

The New York Times

Nobody was satisfied, of course, and an argument ensued that lasted into the dawn.

The New York Times - Magazine

Needless to say, an argument ensued, and soon the neighbors were in on it too.

The New York Times

They refused and an argument ensued during which at least one of the three foremen opened fire with a shotgun.

Independent

When Hitchcock found Belfour in the dressing room, an argument ensued and Belfour announced that he was going home.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an argument ensued" to clearly indicate that a disagreement followed a specific event or action. This phrase is particularly useful in narrative writing and reporting where you need to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between events.

Common error

Avoid using "ensue" without explicitly mentioning the preceding event or action that triggered the argument. Ensure the context makes it clear what caused the argument to "ensue".

Linguistic Context

An argument ensued functions as a clause element within a narrative, typically serving as the main predicate. According to Ludwig, the phrase is used to describe the consequence of a prior action or statement, indicating that a disagreement or dispute followed. The phrase is commonly used in a cause-and-effect relationship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an argument ensued" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe the unfolding of a disagreement following a particular event. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase clearly establishes a cause-and-effect relationship and is commonly found in contexts like news reporting and general narratives. While versatile, it's important to ensure clarity by explicitly mentioning the preceding event that caused the argument. Alternative phrases such as "a dispute arose" or "a disagreement followed" can be used to adjust the tone or formality. By understanding its function and usage patterns, writers can effectively employ "an argument ensued" to create clear and engaging narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dispute arose

Replaces "argument" with "dispute" and "ensued" with "arose", slightly changing the tone.

a disagreement followed

Substitutes "argument" with "disagreement" and "ensued" with "followed", offering a simpler construction.

a quarrel broke out

Uses "quarrel" and "broke out" to suggest a more heated and sudden argument.

a conflict emerged

Replaces "argument" with "conflict" and "ensued" with "emerged", implying a more serious disagreement.

a debate unfolded

Employs "debate" instead of "argument" and "unfolded" for "ensued", suggesting a more structured disagreement.

a row erupted

Utilizes "row" and "erupted" to convey a sense of sudden and noisy argument.

a confrontation occurred

Substitutes "argument" with "confrontation" and "ensued" with "occurred", indicating a direct and potentially hostile encounter.

a clash followed

Uses "clash" and "followed" for a simpler, more direct description of the disagreement.

a wrangle commenced

Employs "wrangle" and "commenced" to suggest a protracted and potentially petty argument.

a contretemps happened

Replaces "argument" with the French term "contretemps" for a more sophisticated, slightly ironic tone.

FAQs

How can I use "an argument ensued" in a sentence?

Use "an argument ensued" to indicate that a disagreement or dispute immediately followed a particular action or statement. For example, "After the announcement, "an argument ensued" among the board members".

What's a simpler way to say "an argument ensued"?

You could use phrases like "a dispute arose", "a disagreement followed", or "a debate unfolded" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific nuance you want to express.

Is it correct to say "an argument ensued" or should I use another verb form?

"An argument ensued" is grammatically correct and commonly used. The verb "ensue" means to follow as a consequence, so it's appropriate to use it to describe what happened after an initial event.

What's the difference between "an argument ensued" and "an argument erupted"?

"An argument ensued" suggests a more gradual development of the disagreement, while "an argument erupted" implies a sudden and explosive outburst. The choice depends on the intensity and speed with which the argument unfolded.