arguably so

USAGE SUMMARY

"arguably so" is a common phrase used in written English.
You can use it to agree with a statement or opinion that is being argued. For example, you might say, "The movie was the best of the trilogy. Arguably so."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Arguably so much information might muddy the waters but at present they are far from clear.

The Guardian - Sport

And it's not just any company: with 845 million active users worldwide, where Facebook goes, arguably, so goes the Internet.

The New York Times

How difficult is it parenting her when her experience of being young is arguably so different to your own?

The Guardian - Film

Kay, the vice president of the appeal courts civil division, said the process was "not unfair or arguably so".

The Guardian

And it's not just any company: with 845 million active users worldwide, where Facebook goes, arguably, so goes the internet".

The Guardian - Tech

Who else? Jennifer Granholm, except that she was born in Canada — but if she's out, arguably so is Ted Cruz.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The IPCC's treatment of global sea-level rise is similarly conservative – arguably, overly so.

The Guardian - Opinion

Up Yours! and (arguably less so) Sham 69's Jimmy Pursey bawling the Clash's White Riot.

The Guardian - Music

Indeed, they are arguably more so, as it is these that characterise this crucial relationship today.

The Guardian

But if it feels like groundhog day to Campbell, it's arguably more so for the reader.

The Guardian - Books

The programme caused a lot of anger among the science community on the social networks, and arguably rightly so.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "arguably so" to express a viewpoint with which you agree but acknowledge might be debated. It adds nuance to your agreement.

Common error

Avoid using "arguably so" when a stronger affirmation is more appropriate. Overusing it can weaken your stance when you intend to convey certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arguably so" functions as an adverbial phrase used to qualify a statement, indicating a degree of agreement while acknowledging that the point is debatable. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, presenting examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "arguably so" is a useful tool for expressing agreement while acknowledging a degree of uncertainty or potential debate. As Ludwig AI highlights, it frequently appears in news and media contexts, lending a nuanced perspective to discussions. While grammatically correct, its overuse in contexts requiring stronger affirmation should be avoided. Related phrases like "possibly so" or "plausibly so" offer alternative ways to convey a similar sentiment with subtle shifts in emphasis. Overall, "arguably so" is a valuable addition to one's linguistic toolkit for expressing considered, yet qualified, agreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possibly so

Indicates a potential agreement, slightly less assertive than "arguably so".

conceivably so

Suggests something is imaginable or possible, altering the focus from debate to possibility.

potentially so

Highlights the potential or possibility of something being true, rather than arguing for it.

plausibly so

Emphasizes the believability or apparent truth of a statement, changing the argumentative aspect.

ostensibly so

Implies something appears to be true but might not be upon closer inspection, adding a layer of doubt.

seemingly so

Focuses on the appearance of truth, reducing the emphasis on explicit argumentation.

one could argue

Shifts the focus to the act of arguing itself, rather than the potential truth.

it is debatable

Directly points out the subject is open to debate, rather than implying an agreement.

it is contestable

Highlights the disputable nature of a claim, setting it apart from a qualified agreement.

subject to debate

Underlines the lack of definitive agreement, making it less affirmative.

FAQs

How can I use "arguably so" in a sentence?

Use "arguably so" to indicate that a statement is possibly true, though open to discussion or debate. For instance, "The sequel was better than the original; "arguably so"".

What phrases are similar to "arguably so"?

Similar phrases include "possibly so", "plausibly so", or "conceivably so". They all express a degree of possibility or qualified agreement.

Is it correct to use "arguably so" in formal writing?

Yes, "arguably so" is suitable for formal writing when you want to express a reasoned agreement with a hint of reservation or acknowledgment of opposing viewpoints.

What's the difference between "arguably so" and "certainly so"?

"Arguably so" indicates that a statement is open to debate but has a reasonable basis, while "certainly so" implies a higher degree of confidence and leaves less room for disagreement. "Certainly so" suggests there's little to no doubt.