following this argument

USAGE SUMMARY

"following this argument" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a point or idea that is presented after the previous argument or statement. For example: "The author presented a strong case for their argument, but many critics have raised valid counterpoints following this argument." In this sentence, "following this argument" means after the author's argument was presented. Another example could be: "Following this argument, the jury reached a unanimous decision in favor of the defendant." In this sentence, "following this argument" means after the argument was presented in court.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

In following this argument, we must be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

The Guardian

I suppose it's worth following this argument to its conclusion: his unelectability stems from him having failed to secure enough support for something the general public decided to vote against.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'm not following this argument.

TechCrunch

While seeing the relocation of brackets is not essential to all ways of following this argument, it is essential to the normal way of following the argument when it is symbolically presented with brackets in the way given above.

SEP

Glyphosate is believed to be rather specific and less toxic to the ecosystem than are other pesticides; transgenic plants tolerant to this compound have even been developed following this argument (Vollenhofer et al. 1999; Williams et al. 2000).

Environmental Health Perspectives

This opinion piece is a reply to a reply and readers interested in following this argument should see citations 8 and 13 (in article reference list) and the original paper (Reyers, B et al. (2012)  Finding common ground for biodiversity and ecosystem services).

F1000Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

(The point isn't that Turing thinks that solipsism is a serious option; rather, the point is that following this line of argument isn't going to lead to the conclusion that there are respects in which digital computers could not be our intellectual equals or superiors).

SEP

I am more interested in following the argument about this than I am in McCarty's drawing.

The Guardian - Arts

He was following the argument where it led.

The New York Times

And anyone who thinks that the "new" side isn't winning the argument isn't following the argument at all.

Huffington Post

The following line of argument supports this inference.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "following this argument" to clearly indicate a logical connection between two ideas, ensuring a smooth flow of reasoning for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "following this argument" simply as a transitional phrase without a genuine logical connection to the preceding statement. Ensure that the subsequent point directly builds upon or stems from the argument you're referencing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "following this argument" functions as a transitional phrase, signaling that the subsequent statement is a direct consequence or logical extension of the preceding argument. Ludwig AI analysis suggests it's used to build upon existing points.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "following this argument" is a useful phrase to establish a clear, logical progression from one idea to the next. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in science, news, and wiki contexts. When using the phrase, remember to ensure a genuine logical connection, and consider more formal alternatives like "on this basis" or "given this premise" for certain contexts. The phrase appears to fulfill a crucial role in structuring a sound argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

building upon this argument

Implies adding to or expanding on the existing argument to reach a new conclusion.

pursuing this line of reasoning

Emphasizes the act of continuing a specific line of thought or reasoning process.

on this basis

Highlights that the subsequent statement is grounded or based on the preceding argument.

given this premise

Focuses on the acceptance of a premise as a starting point for further reasoning.

in light of this argument

Indicates that the following statement is made considering the previous argument's implications.

subsequent to this argument

Highlights the temporal sequence, with the following statement occurring after the argument.

drawing from this argument

Emphasizes that the following idea is derived or extracted from the prior argument.

in accordance with this argument

Highlights the consistency and alignment of the following statement with the preceding argument.

along these lines

Suggests a similar direction of thinking or reasoning without directly continuing the same argument.

considering this perspective

Shifts the focus to a broader viewpoint, acknowledging the argument as part of a larger context.

FAQs

How can I use "following this argument" in a sentence?

Use "following this argument" to introduce a statement that logically results from or builds upon a previous point. For instance, "The data showed a clear correlation; "following this argument", further research is needed to establish causation".

What's a more formal way to say "following this argument"?

In formal writing, you can replace "following this argument" with phrases like "on this basis", "given this premise", or "in light of this argument" for a more sophisticated tone.

Is "following this argument" interchangeable with "in conclusion"?

No, "following this argument" indicates a step in reasoning, while "in conclusion" summarizes the entire argument. Use "following this argument" to introduce a logical consequence and "in conclusion" to wrap up your points.

What's the difference between "following this argument" and "supporting this argument"?

"Following this argument" means drawing a conclusion or next step from a previous idea. "Supporting this argument" means providing evidence or reasons to strengthen the original idea.