first line of argument

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first line of argument" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when introducing the initial reasoning or rationale in a discussion or debate. Example: "In this essay, I will present the first line of argument supporting the need for renewable energy sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

There's a certain consistency to Taylor's first line of argument.

The Guardian - Opinion

On Alston's interpretation, Hartshorne's first line of argument is to say that if the relation of the absolute to the world really fell outside the absolute, then this relation would necessarily fall within some further and genuinely single entity that embraced both the absolute and the world and the relations between them.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Government's second line of argument rests on the Controlled Substances Act itself.

Cornell University

A second line of argument would result in a substantive ruling — but one with limited scope.

The New Yorker

Turning terabytes of genomic knowledge into medical benefit is a lot harder than discovering and mass producing antibiotics.The pessimists' second line of argument is based on how much invention is going on.

The Economist

The second line of argument is more troubling; it raises a significant problem, one of the most difficult in all of philosophy, namely how to justify our reliance on our most basic cognitive faculties without relying on those same faculties in a question-begging manner.

Harvard University

A third line of argument (manifesting his close intellectual relation to his friend from Vienna, the philosopher Karl Popper) was that the history of western painting shared with science the self-critical urgency to overcome its own previous formulas so as to become more coherent and compendious in representing natural appearances.

The Guardian

Even in Shia Islam, where succession to Muhammad is seen as a sacred mandate, the authority handed down was spiritual, not temporal; in that sense the power now held by Iran's clergy is an anomaly.A second line of argument about Islam and democracy concerns law.

The Economist

The second line of argument that Undisclosed follows focuses on Adnan remembering where he was the day after Lee disappeared, but it is told in a pretty confusing fashion; Chaudry ends up sounding like she is repeating a tongue-twister over and over again.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Philosophy's second line of argument is based on a simple view of the highest good.

SEP

Simmons has recently rebutted this second line of argument (Simmons 2013; but cf. Stilz 2013).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "first line of argument" to clearly signal the introduction of an initial or foundational piece of reasoning, particularly in formal writing or debate.

Common error

Avoid using "first line of argument" when you actually mean 'the first argument presented', especially if multiple arguments are not conceptually linked as part of a single 'line' of reasoning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first line of argument" functions as a noun phrase that introduces the initial stage or foundational component of a reasoned case. It's used to signal the commencement of a logical progression, similar to examples identified by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

50%

News & Media

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "first line of argument" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to introduce an initial reasoning. Ludwig's analysis reveals that its usage is relatively rare, primarily found in academic and news media contexts. It serves to clearly signal the commencement of a logical progression. While alternatives exist, like "initial argument" or "primary line of reasoning", the choice depends on the desired nuance and formality of the context. Although "first line of argument" may be considered more formal, Ludwig AI confirms its appropriacy. Remember that the "first line of argument" may not always be the main one.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial argument

Focuses on the starting point of the reasoning, omitting the 'line' metaphor.

primary line of reasoning

Highlights that it is the main or most important line of thought.

opening argument

Implies the argument presented at the beginning of a debate or discussion.

starting point of the argument

Emphasizes the beginning, but less formal than the original phrase.

first point of reasoning

Replaces 'line' with 'point', indicating a specific item in the argument.

initial premise

Highlights the foundational assumption upon which the argument is built.

basic argument

Refers to the simple or fundamental argument.

foundational argument

Highlights the fundamental nature of the initial reasoning.

preliminary argument

Suggests an initial argument that may be further developed.

introductory argument

Indicates the argument serves as an introduction to a broader discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "first line of argument" in a sentence?

You can use "first line of argument" to introduce the initial reasoning or rationale in a discussion or debate. For example: "The "first line of argument" in favor of this policy is its potential to stimulate economic growth."

What are some alternatives to "first line of argument"?

You can use alternatives like "initial argument", "primary line of reasoning", or "opening argument" depending on the context.

Is "first line of argument" too formal for casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "first line of argument" is more suited for formal writing or structured discussions. In casual conversation, simpler phrases like "my first point is" or "initially, I think" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "first line of argument" and "main argument"?

"First line of argument" indicates the starting point of your reasoning, while "main argument" refers to the most important or central argument in your overall case. The "initial argument" might not always be the "primary line of reasoning".