gist of the argument

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gist of the argument" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when summarizing the main point or essence of a discussion or debate. Example: "In her essay, she captured the gist of the argument by highlighting the key points made by both sides."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The gist of the argument is that Tillerson's assurances to shareholders were fictitious, or at least greatly exaggerated.

The New Yorker

The gist of the argument is that "Citigroup has proven itself so complex as to be ungovernable.

The Economist

The gist of the argument was that the Supreme Court, in Roe v. Wade, has forbidden states to ban abortions before viability: the point at which a fetus can survive outside the womb.

The New York Times

The gist of the argument behind this blog, and the book, Governing through Crime: How the War on Crime Transformed American Democracy and Created a Culture of Fear,is that political leaders facing a chronic legitimacy deficit since the late 1960s have frequently used protecting citizens from crime as the least problematic way of justifying the exercise of power.

University of California, Berkeley

Here's the gist of the argument.

Forbes

The gist of the argument was, just let it happen and concentrate on maintaining the company's momentum.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The gist of the arguments is that the spill of radioactive cooling water at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami is spreading across the Pacific, annihilating everything in its path.

Los Angeles Times

The gist of that argument?

The New York Times

But here's where I begin to lose the gist of this argument.

Huffington Post

The proof sketch was constructed without defining a security model; the gist of the security argument is that the adversary cannot perform keyword guessing attacks because s/he has no knowledge of the private key (sk_S) of the server nor the private key (sk_R) of the receiver.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Fast forward to 2014 and that human argument has gone by the wayside, with the main gist of the pro-immigration argument being, "Well, they're pretty good for the economy, I guess?

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gist of the argument", ensure you accurately and concisely represent the core message to avoid misinterpretation. Clarify any complex concepts mentioned in the argument to improve understanding.

Common error

Avoid reducing intricate debates to simplistic summaries when using "gist of the argument". Acknowledge the nuances and complexities inherent in the original discussion to provide a balanced and informed perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gist of the argument" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It encapsulates the central concept or core message being conveyed in a discussion or debate. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is used to summarize.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gist of the argument" is a noun phrase used to convey the central idea or main point of a discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not extremely common, it appears consistently in diverse contexts such as news, academia, and science. Alternatives like "main point of the argument" or "essence of the argument" can be used for variety. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity and avoid oversimplifying complex concepts. As Ludwig's analysis demonstrates, "gist of the argument" is a useful tool for summarizing and understanding the core message of any debate or discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main point of the argument

Focuses on the primary assertion or claim being made.

essence of the argument

Highlights the fundamental nature or core substance of the argument.

core idea of the argument

Emphasizes the central concept or notion being presented.

central theme of the argument

Draws attention to the overarching topic or subject of the argument.

thrust of the argument

Indicates the driving force or direction of the argument.

nub of the argument

Highlights the most crucial or contentious point of the argument.

substance of the argument

Refers to the significant content or meaning of the argument.

heart of the argument

Identifies the emotional or critical center of the argument.

underlying principle of the argument

Focuses on the fundamental belief or assumption upon which the argument is based.

general idea of the argument

Presents the overall understanding or impression of the argument.

FAQs

What does "gist of the argument" mean?

The "gist of the argument" refers to the main point, essence, or central idea of a discussion or debate. It's a concise summary that captures the most important aspects of the argument.

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

You can use "gist of the argument" to introduce a summary or explanation of the main point. For example, "The gist of the argument is that increased funding is necessary for research."

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

Alternatives include "main point of the argument", "essence of the argument", or "core idea of the argument". Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the central message.

Is it better to say "gist of the argument" or "summary of the argument"?

While both phrases convey a condensed version of a larger discussion, "gist of the argument" emphasizes the core idea or essence, whereas "summary of the argument" implies a more comprehensive overview, including supporting details.