argue in support of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "argue in support of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a position or viewpoint that one is advocating for, particularly in essays, debates, or discussions. Example: "In her essay, she will argue in support of renewable energy as a viable solution to climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Moreover, the agency plans to send a lawyer to argue in support of the agent's case before a federal appeals court in early March.

The New York Times

The unexpected turn of events, just a day after prosecutors continued to argue in support of Lebedev's "hooliganism", prompted speculation that higher powers had intervened.

The Guardian

In 2008, the Justices invited Cruz to argue in support of Louisiana's position that the Constitution permitted the execution of an individual who raped a child.

The New Yorker

He appeared before congressional committees to argue in support of parental and medical leave legislation and for increased assistance for children growing up in poverty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Assign groups to argue in support of or against one of the following statements (two groups one pro, one con to each statement): -"There are no circumstances under which Wikipedia entries should ever be trusted again".

The New York Times

It was a good game, and it was best when you had to argue in support of a point of view that was completely opposed to what you yourself thought.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Axelrod is basically arguing in support of the Alabama man, Shaun McCutcheon.

The Guardian

Neal K. Katyal, the acting United States solicitor general, argued in support of the defendants.

The New York Times

Rabbi Neulander's lawyers, Mr. Zucker and Mr. Wixted, argued in support of the ban on press contacts today.

The New York Times

Her brief argued in support of the provision prohibiting insurance companies from discriminating against people with existing conditions.

The New York Times - Health

But after arguing in support of the rule of law in places like Guantánamo it's discomfiting to see it blithely dismissed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "argue in support of", ensure that the context clearly indicates what you are advocating for. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice excessively with "argue in support of". Instead of saying "It was argued in support of…", use a more direct construction like "He argued in support of…" for clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "argue in support of" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a prepositional verb construction. It connects the action of arguing with the purpose of advocating or defending a particular idea, cause, or position, as shown in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "argue in support of" is a grammatically sound and acceptable way to express advocating for a specific viewpoint or cause. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While the phrase is not exceedingly common, it appears most frequently in news, scientific, and encyclopedia-based contexts. When using "argue in support of", ensure clarity and avoid overuse of the passive voice to maintain an active and impactful writing style. Consider alternatives like "advocate for" or "defend the position of" for more concise phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advocate for

This alternative is more concise and direct.

defend the position of

This alternative emphasizes defending an established viewpoint.

make a case for

This alternative suggests building a logical argument.

reason in favor of

This alternative highlights the logical aspect of the argument.

plead for

This alternative implies a more emotional or urgent appeal.

stand up for

This alternative suggests defending something against opposition.

champion

This alternative implies enthusiastic and active support.

maintain the validity of

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the correctness of something.

press for

This alternative focuses on actively pushing for something.

justify the merits of

This alternative focuses on explaining why something is valuable or worthwhile.

FAQs

How can I use "argue in support of" in a sentence?

You can use "argue in support of" to express advocating for a particular viewpoint or cause. For example, "The lawyer will argue in support of her client's innocence."

What are some alternatives to "argue in support of"?

You can use alternatives like "advocate for", "defend the position of", or "make a case for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "arguing in support to" instead of "argue in support of"?

No, the correct preposition is "of". "Argue in support to" is grammatically incorrect. Always use "argue in support of".

What's the difference between "argue in support of" and "argue in favor of"?

The phrases "argue in support of" and "argue in favor of" are largely interchangeable. Both indicate advocating for something, but "argue in favor of" might be slightly more common.