argue

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "argue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a disagreement or a debate over a certain topic. For example: "We argued about the morality of nuclear weapons for hours until we both reached a compromise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Then argue for your position.

The New York Times

I couldn't argue.

The New York Times - Travel

Skeptics argue that a large portion of those jobs are low-wage, part-time jobs that do little to help the families that struggle to make ends meet.

The Guardian - Money

Or is EU pressure on member states itself undemocratic, as British Eurosceptics would argue?

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet, far from expressing wonder that an act as extreme and barbaric as the murders is what it takes for the west to show defiance towards a religious duty that is not meaningful to non-Muslims, cultural provocateurs successfully argue that this highly exceptional situation is in fact indicative of a general contempt for Islam.

The Guardian - Opinion

If the party of which I'm a member makes an announcement which has the potential to breach the law and those obligations then I will argue against it … It would be very unsatisfactory".

The Guardian

Some argue that greater interactions with the outside world is a positive development.

The Guardian

Salmond will argue to his dying days – no doubt clutching a copy of a Guardian article from March 2014 which quoted an anonymous UK minister saying that "of course" a currency union would be formed – that the chancellor's intervention amounted to "bluff, bluster and bullying".

The Guardian

It would be hard to argue that compared to other central and eastern European post-communist countries, united Germany failed to establish justice for victims of the GDR: lustration and purges were comparatively intensive and extensive, without deteriorating into the kind of witch-hunts that Poland experienced a few years back.

The Guardian - Opinion

The violent seizure of white-owned farms in the 2000s, they argue, was a historic reclaiming of land from the legacy of colonialism, an act that South Africa and other post-independence governments have not dared carry out.

The Guardian

When there is a broad perception of realism that you don't like, you can't just argue against it: you have to build a new realism.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "argue" to introduce a reasoned case, providing evidence or logic to support a conclusion.

Common error

Avoid using "argue" merely to state an opinion without providing any justification or supporting evidence. "Argue" implies a more reasoned and developed presentation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "argue" is as a verb, used to express the act of presenting reasons for or against something. Ludwig examples show how it introduces viewpoints, supports claims, or engages in debate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Opinion

25%

Politics

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Lifestyle

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "argue" functions as a verb, carrying the weight of presenting a case or debating a point. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. The frequency of its occurrence is "very common", particularly in news, opinion pieces, and political discourse. When using "argue", ensure you are presenting a reasoned viewpoint supported by evidence, and avoid simply stating opinions without justification. Instead of "argue", consider alternatives like "assert" or "contend" to fine-tune your message. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "argue" to strengthen your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assert

To state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully.

contend

To assert something as a position in an argument.

maintain

To state something is the case, even in the face of opposition.

claim

To state or assert that something is the case, typically without providing evidence or proof.

debate

To discuss a subject in a formal way, presenting different arguments.

discuss

To talk about a subject with someone and exchange opinions.

reason

To think, understand, and form judgments by a process of logic.

indicate

To point out or show.

demonstrate

To clearly show the existence or truth of something by giving proof or evidence.

show

To point out or make visible.

FAQs

How to use "argue" in a sentence?

You can use "argue" to present a viewpoint or debate an issue, such as "The lawyer will "argue for the defendant"" or "They "argued over the best solution"".

What can I say instead of "argue"?

Alternatives to "argue" include "assert", "contend", or "maintain", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "argue" or "arguing"?

Both "argue" and "arguing" can be correct, depending on the sentence structure. "Argue" is the base form of the verb, while "arguing" is the present participle or gerund form. For example, "They often "argue"" vs. "Arguing is pointless."

What's the difference between "argue" and "discuss"?

"Argue" implies a disagreement or debate, while "discuss" suggests a more neutral exchange of ideas. You "argue" a point you disagree with, but you "discuss" a topic to explore different perspectives.