argued for

USAGE SUMMARY

"argued for" is a perfectly acceptable phrase that can be used in written English.
For example, you could say: "The professor argued for an increase in funding for the research project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Other officials have argued for better regulation.

The Guardian

Golkar's detractors have argued for this.

The Economist

Mr. Cameron had argued for a freeze.

The New York Times

It argued for far wider intelligence sharing.

The New York Times

I have long argued for a referendum.

Independent

I've long argued for such shifts.

The New York Times

It will be argued for yrs.

The New Yorker

Minow argued for a different approach.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

We argued for half an hour.

The Guardian

Jurgen had even argued for it.

The New Yorker

Several authors have since argued for reciprocity in IME.

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "argued for" when you want to convey that someone has presented reasons or evidence in support of a particular idea, policy, or action. It indicates a reasoned and persuasive approach.

Common error

Ensure you clearly state what the subject "argued for". Vague statements like "He argued for it" lack impact. Instead, specify: "He argued for stricter environmental regulations."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "argued for" is as a phrasal verb, where 'argued' serves as the verb and 'for' functions as a preposition that modifies the verb's meaning. This construction indicates the act of presenting reasons or evidence in support of a particular idea or cause. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

22%

Science

19%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "argued for" is a versatile phrasal verb used to express support for a particular idea or action by presenting reasons or evidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and commonly found in various contexts, especially in news, academic, and scientific domains. When using the term, ensure you clearly state what is being advocated for to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "advocated" or "supported" can be used for conciseness. By understanding its grammatical function, communicative purpose, and register, you can effectively use "argued for" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advocated

A more concise and direct synonym, implying active support.

supported

Indicates approval and backing of an idea or proposal.

made a case for

Focuses on presenting a reasoned argument in favor of something.

promoted

Implies actively encouraging or popularizing something.

pushed for

Suggests active effort and persistence in promoting something.

spoke in favor of

Highlights verbal support and endorsement.

campaigned for

Implies a sustained and organized effort to achieve a specific goal.

stood up for

Indicates defending or championing an idea or person, especially when facing opposition.

lobbied for

Suggests influencing decision-makers to support a particular cause.

pleaded for

Emphasizes an emotional appeal or urgent request.

FAQs

How can I use "argued for" in a sentence?

Use "argued for" when you want to indicate that someone presented reasons or evidence in support of something. For instance, "The lawyer "argued for" the defendant's release on bail."

What are some alternatives to "argued for"?

Some alternatives include "advocated", "supported", or "made a case for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "argued for" formal or informal?

"Argued for" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than on the phrase itself.

What's the difference between "argued for" and "argued against"?

"Argued for" indicates support or advocacy for something, while "argued against" indicates opposition or disagreement with something. They are antonyms.