defend an argument

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defend an argument" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of supporting or justifying a particular viewpoint or claim in a debate or discussion. Example: "In her essay, she aims to defend her argument by providing substantial evidence and logical reasoning."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

These same in-built search functions recently allowed me to find the string of emails that defended an argument I made in support of an assessment I presented.

Forbes

In this class you would learn how to structure, oppose and defend a scientific argument in a public presentation, as well as a few specific tricks to make your smart audience understand what you are talking about.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Ultimately, this translates to producing a piece of scholarship—in this case a 30-50 page final paper—in which students articulate and defend a historical argument rooted in extensive primary source research, informed by thorough secondary source reading.

University of California, Berkeley

He claimed that members of the sports media, in particular ESPN's Skip Bayless, try to make statements "nobody can question," and in turn, avoid the nitty gritty details that explain why teams really win and lose (thereby saving themselves from having to construct and/or defend an in-depth argument).

Huffington Post

(Kyle Stanford (2006) defends an underdetermination argument called 'the problem of unconceived alternatives' with reference to the history of science, so perhaps not all underdetermination arguments are a priori and theoretical).

SEP

"Using such an argument to defend an unsustainable status quo means consigning Australia to a deteriorating future".

The Guardian

Moore himself used the Open Question Argument to defend a non-naturalist account of goodness but held that rightness was reducible to goodness.

SEP

If the conservative justices, who are, after all, very good lawyers, rely on such arguments to defend a decision to invalidate the Affordable Care Act, then we know something else is going on.

HuffPost

The idea behind the algorithm is that we start with the argument (or the set of arguments) for which we test credulous acceptance and iteratively add arguments to defend all arguments in our sets.

Artificial Intelligence

This will be a moral argument, defending an aggressive but equitable approach to maintaining both public accountability and trust.

Duke University

One entry, "How to defend yourself" after an argument in Istanbul or an insult in Berlin, includes fighting instructions by the numbers.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In persuasive writing, anticipate counterarguments and address them proactively to better "defend an argument".

Common error

Avoid solely relying on personal opinions when trying to "defend an argument". Back up your claims with facts, data, and expert analysis to strengthen your position.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defend an argument" functions as a verb phrase followed by an article and a noun, indicating the action of providing justification and support for a particular claim or viewpoint. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "defend an argument" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression, primarily found in academic, news, and scientific contexts. It signifies providing justification and support for a claim, often against opposition. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is most effective to use well-supported evidence, anticipate counterarguments, and tailor language to the specific audience to effectively convince of an opinion in a specific subject. Related phrases include "support a claim", "justify a position", and "validate a thesis", each with slight nuances in meaning. The phrase is not only grammatically sound, but it is a crucial tool for effective communication and critical thinking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defend a thesis

Focuses on safeguarding a previously stated argument.

defend a position

Focuses on safeguarding a previously stated position.

support a claim

Focuses more on providing general backing rather than actively defending against opposition.

justify a position

Emphasizes providing reasons to show that a stance is correct or reasonable.

uphold an assertion

Suggests maintaining a previously stated idea or belief.

substantiate a point

Highlights providing evidence to prove the validity of a specific idea.

validate a claim

Emphasizes demonstrating the truth of a statement.

validate a thesis

Specifically used in academic contexts to prove a research-based argument.

argue in favor of

Implies presenting reasons to support something, potentially in a debate setting.

champion a cause

Suggests vigorously supporting a belief or movement.

FAQs

How can I effectively "defend an argument" in academic writing?

Support your claims with evidence from reputable sources, address counterarguments, and ensure logical reasoning. Clearly articulate your thesis statement and maintain a consistent line of reasoning throughout your work. Do not forget about proper citation to maintain academic integrity.

What are some strategies for "defending an argument" during a debate?

Prepare strong opening and closing statements, actively listen to your opponent's points, and directly address their arguments with clear and concise rebuttals. Use rhetorical devices such as analogies or metaphors to make your points more memorable. Also, consider to "argue in favor of" what you believe.

What's the difference between "defend an argument" and "support a claim"?

"Defend an argument" implies actively protecting a position against criticism or opposition, whereas "support a claim" simply means providing evidence or reasons to back it up. The former suggests a more adversarial context.

What type of language should I use when "defending an argument"?

The tone and language used should depend on the context. In formal settings, use precise language and avoid emotional appeals. In less formal settings, you may have more freedom to use persuasive language, but ensure your arguments remain logical and well-supported. So, try to "justify a position" considering the context.