arguable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "arguable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a point or claim that can be supported or contested, indicating that there is room for debate. Example: "The effectiveness of the new policy is arguable, as there are both positive and negative outcomes reported."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That the execution of those trafficking in drugs is contrary to international law is strongly arguable.

The Guardian

The issues of whether a foetus can have a legal identity and whether a crime has been committed are difficult, but it's wrong to criticise a council for seeking to further the interests of a child in its care if there is an arguable case.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But austerity has sorely tested it over the past five years and it is arguable (depending on one's definition of basic services) that it is becoming unsustainable.

The Guardian

It is arguable whether a document signed this week by Hamas and Fatah, Arafat's secular movement that previously ran the show, does, even implicitly, recognise Israel (see article).

The Economist

Though a fiery speech by Mr Assad last week warned Israel of danger if it did not make peace, it is arguable that Syria has more to lose than to gain, if peace reduces its leverage over America in Iraq and over Israel through its influence on Hamas and Hizbullah.

The Economist

More than 60% of black children these days are brought up without a father.It is arguable, of course, that Mrs Obama is already doing enough to inspire her fellow Americans without running the risks inherent in pronouncing on policy.

The Economist

Whether anyone who knows any history could be so mistaken is arguable.

The Economist

And it is at least arguable that India, because of its size, influence and new-found closeness to America, will not, in reality, set a precedent for other would-be nuclear powers.On balance, all the same, it does seem that America's eagerness to cement a better relationship with India has led it to damage the effort to contain the spread of nuclear weapons.

The Economist

True, it is arguable that Mr Brown ought to have increased taxes by more than he did in his 1997 budget.

The Economist

With the arguable exception of studies of Mars, deepening knowledge about the solar system is not as glamorous an activity as widening it.

The Economist

Mr Callaghan is praised for bringing his cabinet round to accepting an unwelcome financial strategy and Churchill for his attempts to mitigate the cold war.Perhaps more arguable is the fourth-tier position allotted to Harold Wilson and Harold Macmillan on the grounds of high promise unfulfilled.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "arguable" to introduce a point where multiple perspectives exist and can be supported with evidence or reasoning.

Common error

Avoid presenting an "arguable" point as an absolute fact. Qualify your statements and acknowledge potential counterarguments to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The word "arguable" functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that a particular statement, claim, or position can be debated or contested. It implies that there is room for reasonable disagreement and that different viewpoints may be supported by evidence. As confirmed by Ludwig, this word is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "arguable" is a versatile term used to describe claims or positions that are open to debate, where differing viewpoints can be supported by evidence or logical reasoning. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered grammatically correct and suitable for use in English. The phrase appears most commonly in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. While some errors may arise from overstating a claim as undisputable, using "arguable" effectively allows writers and speakers to express nuanced perspectives and acknowledge alternative viewpoints, as presented by the examples of usage provided by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

debatable

Indicates a topic that is open to discussion or dispute; interchangeable in many contexts.

disputable

Implies that something can be challenged or questioned; slightly more formal.

questionable

Suggests doubt or uncertainty about the validity or truth of something.

contestable

Highlights that a claim or statement can be disputed or challenged.

moot

Indicates something that is open to argument or discussion, often because its practical significance is reduced.

open to debate

A more explicit way of saying that a topic is not settled and can be discussed.

up for discussion

Suggests that something is available for consideration and debate.

under consideration

Implies that something is being thought about and may be subject to debate.

uncertain

Focuses on the lack of certainty or clarity regarding a particular issue.

contentious

Suggests that an issue is likely to cause disagreement or argument.

FAQs

How can I use "arguable" in a sentence?

You can use "arguable" to suggest that a particular point is open to debate or has valid opposing viewpoints. For example, "It is "arguable" whether that policy change was effective."

What can I say instead of "arguable"?

You can use alternatives like "debatable", "disputable", or "questionable" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "arguable" or "unarguable"?

"Arguable" means that a point can be debated, while "unarguable" means that it is so clearly true or correct that it cannot be reasonably disputed.

What's the difference between "arguable" and "controversial"?

"Arguable" suggests that a point is open to reasoned debate, while "controversial" implies that it causes strong disagreement and is often emotionally charged.