drift of the argument

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drift of the argument" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the general direction or tendency of an argument in a discussion or debate. Example: "As the debate progressed, I noticed a significant drift of the argument towards emotional appeals rather than logical reasoning."

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Then three related things happened; those familiar with Professor Hayes's work will appreciate the drift of the argument.

Harvard Business Review

The drift of the argument is sometimes difficult to discern, partly because of has frequent digressions to make bon mots, and partly because of his dialectical method of presentation, which approaches what he takes to be the truth via a series of successive approximations.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The details of the argument are controversial.

SEP

The rest of the argument is unchanged.

SEP

(3) is the conclusion of the argument.

SEP

There are two variants of the argument.

SEP

Both premises of the argument need support.

SEP

He's growing tired of the argument.

Forbes

AA and KAF conceived of the argument.

BMC Health Services Research

Evaluate the strength of the argument.

WikiHow

Research both sides of the argument.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drift of the argument" when you want to convey a sense of the argument's overall direction or tendency, especially if it seems to be subtly changing or evolving over time.

Common error

Avoid using "drift" when you mean a deliberate or sudden change in the argument. "Drift" implies a gradual, often unintended, movement, whereas "shift" suggests a more conscious and distinct change of position.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drift of the argument" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes the general direction or tendency of a line of reasoning, as confirmed by examples available on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drift of the argument" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the overall direction or tendency of a line of reasoning. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formal and semi-formal contexts. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys a sense of evolving understanding in discussions and debates. Remember to use it when describing a subtle, gradual change in direction, and consider alternatives like "tenor of the argument" or "thrust of the argument" to fine-tune your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tenor of the argument

Focuses on the prevailing tone or character of the argument.

thrust of the argument

Emphasizes the forceful or driving point of the argument.

direction of the argument

Highlights the path or course that the argument is taking.

general line of reasoning

Refers to the overall pattern of thought in the argument.

gist of the argument

Focuses on the main points or essence of the argument.

thread of the argument

Highlights a connecting theme or idea running through the argument.

underlying argument

Emphasizes the fundamental or foundational argument.

overall argumentation

Refers to the complete system or process of arguing.

central contention

Highlights the main point being asserted in the argument.

course of the argument

Similar to "direction", but emphasizes the progression over time.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "drift of the argument" in a sentence?

Use "drift of the argument" to describe the overall direction or tendency of a discussion, particularly when it seems to be subtly evolving. For example: "As the debate continued, the drift of the argument became increasingly clear".

What are some alternatives to "drift of the argument"?

You can use alternatives like "tenor of the argument", "thrust of the argument", or "direction of the argument", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "drift of the argument" a formal or informal expression?

"Drift of the argument" is suitable for both formal and semi-formal contexts. However, in highly formal or scientific writing, you might consider a more precise alternative like "general line of reasoning".

How does "drift of the argument" differ from "conclusion of the argument"?

"Drift of the argument" refers to the overall tendency or direction of the reasoning, whereas "conclusion of the argument" refers to the final point or resolution reached. The "conclusion of the argument" is the end result, while the "drift" is the path taken to get there.