an open argument

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an open argument" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a discussion or debate that is ongoing and not yet resolved, often inviting further input or consideration. Example: "The topic of climate change remains an open argument among scientists and policymakers, with many differing opinions on the best course of action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And, "Try things like: Sitting in the audience and reminding people Kenny is a racist by periodically yelling, 'Racist!' " Who is allowed to speak for people who have been harmed or who have suffered is an open argument.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The defense lawyers asked a much broader range of questions, and their approach sometimes resembled an opening argument more than jury selection.

The New York Times

For two days, Mr. Muhammad had stumbled gamely but mostly ineffectively through an opening argument, cross-examinations and attempts to block prosecution evidence.

The New York Times

Roberto Finzi said that for years, as a federal prosecutor, he wore the same lucky tie whenever he gave an opening argument, a practice he continued after becoming a defense lawyer.

The New York Times

When Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner arrived here on Sunday, an opening argument to his counterparts was that Chinese rules were forcing American companies to surrender their technological jewels just for a ticket to compete in the Chinese market.

The New York Times

As the opening statement ran into its third hour, Judge Nelson finally stopped the defense to offer pointers about what belongs in an opening argument and what should be saved for closing.

The New Yorker

F7 Health & Fitness F5 NATIONAL A16-24 Suspect Represents Self As Sniper Trial Opens John A. Muhammad, accused of being the mastermind of the Washington-area sniper shootings, fired his lawyers and took control of his own defense, telling the jury in an opening argument, "I had nothing to do with these crimes".

The New York Times

Then the committee should schedule a vote and allow Mr. Dodd to make his arguments in an open debate.

The New York Times

Regulations without a clear and open argument behind them are worrisome.

The Economist

Rowan Williams said the refusal by some student unions to recognise evangelical Christian groups looked like a "fear of open argument".

The Guardian

8. See also Rosati (1995) and (2003) on contemporary uses of an "open question argument" against certain forms of ethical naturalism, including appeals to evolutionary history to justify behavior.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an open argument" when you want to convey that a discussion or debate is still in progress and welcomes different perspectives. Be mindful of the context and ensure it aligns with the sense of ongoing and unresolved discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "an open argument" when referring to a debate that has already been decided or resolved. This phrase suggests ongoing discussion and unresolved issues, so it's inaccurate for finalized matters.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an open argument" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It refers to a debate or discussion that is ongoing and has not reached a conclusion. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academic

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an open argument" is a noun phrase used to describe an ongoing and unresolved discussion or debate. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, with a neutral register. While not exceedingly common, the phrase is found in reputable sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker. Alternative phrases such as "an unresolved debate" or "an ongoing discussion" can be used to convey similar meanings. Remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize that an issue is still being discussed and different perspectives are welcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unresolved debate

Focuses on the lack of resolution in the argument.

an ongoing discussion

Highlights the continuous nature of the discussion.

a pending argument

Emphasizes that the argument is waiting to be addressed.

a contested point

Indicates a specific issue under dispute.

a debatable issue

Highlights the presence of grounds for arguing about the subject.

a moot point

Suggests that the argument might be impractical or hypothetical.

a contentious topic

Highlights the tendency for the topic to cause arguments.

an unsettled question

Focuses on the lack of a definitive answer.

a matter of debate

Indicates a subject suitable for formal discussion.

a point of contention

Highlights the disagreement at the heart of the argument.

FAQs

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

You can use "an open argument" to describe a situation where a debate or discussion is still ongoing and unresolved. For example, "Whether AI will replace human workers remains "an open argument" in the tech industry".

What's the difference between "an open argument" and "a closed argument"?

"An open argument" implies that the discussion is ongoing and welcomes different perspectives, while "a closed argument" suggests that the matter has been settled and no further discussion is needed.

What can I say instead of "an open argument"?

You can use alternatives like "an unresolved debate", "an ongoing discussion", or "a debatable issue depending on the context".

Is "an open argument" the same as "an open debate"?

While similar, "an open debate" generally refers to a more formal and structured discussion, whereas "an open argument" can encompass a broader range of discussions, including informal ones.