arguably

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'arguably' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a statement or opinion that is open to debate or interpretation, or to indicate that something is commonly believed or accepted as true. Example Sentence: Arguably, the best way to learn a language is to immerse yourself in the culture that speaks it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Birdman, arguably, has a solemn dimension to it, but not really The Grand Budapest Hotel, despite being inspired by a writer (Stefan Zweig) who famously committed suicide in despair at the rise of the Nazis.

The Guardian - Film

Icac concluded in its report that the Obeids had arranged for another mining company vying for the licence to withdraw its application, which it suggested was "arguably illegal" under competition law.

The Guardian

Mackenzie was the editor of the Sun when it sold more than 4m copies and was arguably at its most influential in Thatcherite Britain.

The Guardian - Opinion

True to their style, one that has made them arguably the most enjoyable team to watch in Spain this season, the team that went on a 28-game run of scoring in every match, Villarreal showed personality as well as precision and pace.

The Guardian - Sport

They said: "Voters have gone to them from the Lib Dems and Labour and the fear factor that the Conservatives have driven in England of the SNP holding the balance of power has clearly driven voters towards them, at the expense of the Lib Dems and arguably more dramatically Labour".

The Guardian

It must have been an extraordinary experience to get a glimpse of such a secret secret world but one which is arguably more vital than ever right now".

The Guardian

"I think Novak's the same: he's got these two guys who are arguably the two greatest guys ever, and he's trying to be on an equal footing.

The Guardian - Sport

But arguably none have been as committed to the cause in recent months as Lee, who declared a "war on poverty" last November.

The Guardian

And that Rooney should have to share it … well, yes of course, sure, let her share it by all means with Cate Blanchett who was, arguably in fact, the senior thespian partner in this passionate love story.

The Guardian - Film

Arguably, the best known of his budgets was the so-called "omnishambles" budget of 2012.

The Guardian

She now believes that Charlie Hebdo's "controversial images – while arguably tasteless, offensive and not even particularly well-drawn – sprang from satire, not hate".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "arguably", ensure the context provides sufficient evidence or reasoning to support the statement. This strengthens your argument and invites thoughtful consideration rather than immediate dismissal.

Common error

Avoid using "arguably" when the statement is widely accepted or easily proven. Overusing it can weaken your credibility and make your writing seem unnecessarily hesitant.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "arguably" is that of an adverb, modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb to indicate that a statement is presented as a reasoned opinion, open to debate. Ludwig AI confirms this, providing numerous examples where "arguably" qualifies assertions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Travel

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "arguably" functions as an adverb that introduces a debatable viewpoint or assessment. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and frequently used in news, sports, and opinion pieces. When using "arguably", it's important to support your claim with evidence and avoid overuse in situations where the statement is already widely accepted. Alternatives such as "possibly", "plausibly", and "it is debatable" can be used to convey similar meanings depending on the context. Keep these points in mind to effectively and appropriately use the adverb "arguably" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one could argue

Highlights that a specific argument can be made, implying there may be counterarguments.

it is debatable

Directly states that the matter is open to discussion and disagreement.

plausibly

Suggests that something is believable or has a reasonable basis, making it similar to an arguable point.

possibly

Indicates a lower degree of certainty than "arguably", suggesting a potential but not necessarily strong case.

in my opinion

A more direct way of expressing a personal viewpoint, which may be open to discussion.

conceivably

Similar to "possibly", suggesting something is within the realm of possibility but without strong evidence.

by some accounts

Indicates that a statement is true according to certain sources or perspectives, but not necessarily universally accepted.

ostensibly

Indicates that something appears to be true but might not be upon closer examination, introducing a degree of uncertainty.

on the face of it

Suggests an initial assessment that may change with more information, similar to presenting an arguable point.

putatively

Similar to "ostensibly", suggesting something is commonly believed but not necessarily proven.

FAQs

How can I use "arguably" in a sentence?

Use "arguably" to introduce a point that is debatable or open to interpretation. For example, "Arguably, the film's success lies in its innovative storytelling."

What are some alternatives to "arguably"?

You can use alternatives like "possibly", "plausibly", or "it is debatable" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "arguably" or "unquestionably"?

The choice depends on the strength of your claim. Use "arguably" when there's room for disagreement. Use "unquestionably" when the point is beyond dispute.

What's the difference between "arguably" and "ostensibly"?

"Arguably" suggests there's a valid case to be made, while "ostensibly" suggests something appears to be true but might not be upon closer examination.