arguing

USAGE SUMMARY

"arguing" is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English.
It is a verb that means to engage in a discussion to convince another person of your point of view. Example sentence: We argued for hours, but were unable to reach an agreement.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Margaret Hodge, a former Labour minister and chair of the Commons public accounts committee, also defended the policy, arguing consumers are suffering too much from high prices.

The Guardian - Money

He was a fierce opponent of Argentina's decision to legalise gay marriage in 2010, arguing children need to have the right to be raised and educated by a father and a mother.

The Guardian

And was probably killed by the authorities for arguing against accepting foreign aid for Senegal.

The Guardian - Film

For all his rhetoric about Munich 1938 and the need to avoid appeasement, Cameron's emphasis in the Ukraine is economic, not military, saying he has been "at the absolute front end of those arguing for broader sanctions".

The Guardian

A strike at the BBC followed, and upon his return Milne, fought the governors, arguing the programme should be broadcast.

The Guardian

"If I had been in the stadium, after a certain point I would have left my seat in the stands, I would have gone down on to the pitch and taken my team out of the game," said Internazionale's president, Massimo Moratti, and he was not alone in arguing the match should have been stopped.

The Guardian - Sport

Paul has made his longtime opposition to the NSA's surveillance dragnet a key tenet of his 2016 campaign and followed through on his pledge to let the Patriot Act expire – although he voted against the USA Freedom Act on Tuesday, arguing that it does not go far enough.

The Guardian

There could be no arguing with the result, nor with the fact that Ipswich deserve praise for making Norwich work so hard for it.

The Guardian - Sport

Some voices have been arguing that a band consisting of two white men don't have any right to call themselves Slaves, that the term is racially loaded.

The Guardian - Music

BP says it is vigorously defending the case, arguing that it took significant steps to compensate farmers for laying the pipeline on their land and to ensure that no harm was caused.

The Guardian

"If you've got two campaigns essentially arguing the economic and financial viability of Scotland then it broadens the base, it makes that case stronger," Pringle explained.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "arguing", ensure the context clarifies what is being argued for or against. Providing specific details strengthens the clarity and impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "arguing" in vague contexts where the subject of the argument is unclear. Always specify what the argument is about to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "arguing" is a present participle, often used as part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "they are arguing") or as a gerund functioning as a noun (e.g., "arguing is pointless"). Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage as a verb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Wiki

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "arguing" is a versatile present participle that frequently appears in various contexts, particularly within News & Media. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct. Its primary function is to denote disagreement, debate, or the act of presenting reasons. While generally neutral in register, it can adapt to different levels of formality. Related phrases such as "contending" or "asserting" offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings, and it's essential to provide clear context to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contending

Similar to arguing, but often implies a more formal or assertive stance.

asserting

Focuses on stating a fact or belief confidently and forcefully.

maintaining

Emphasizes consistently holding a belief or position despite opposition.

claiming

Suggests stating something as true, often without providing proof.

contesting

Suggests challenging or disputing something, often a decision or statement.

reasoning

Highlights the process of thinking logically and presenting a rational argument.

debating

Implies a formal discussion with opposing viewpoints.

advocating

Implies actively supporting or promoting a particular cause or policy.

discussing

A more general term for talking about a topic, which may or may not involve disagreement.

presenting a case

Focuses on formally outlining the reasons and evidence to support a particular viewpoint.

FAQs

How is "arguing" typically used in a sentence?

The word "arguing" is often used to describe the act of presenting reasons or evidence for or against something. For example, "She was "arguing" for better healthcare policies".

What are some alternatives to "arguing" that I can use in my writing?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "contending", "asserting", or "maintaining".

Is it correct to say "arguing about" or "arguing over"?

Both "arguing about" and "arguing over" are grammatically correct and commonly used. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "arguing" and "discussing"?

"Arguing" often implies a disagreement or debate, whereas "discussing" is a more neutral term for talking about a topic without necessarily involving conflict.