on what argument

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on what argument" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking for clarification or details regarding the basis or reasoning behind a statement or decision. Example: "Can you elaborate on what argument led you to that conclusion?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As is often the case with statistics, the numbers can be skewed in a variety of directions depending on what argument one hopes to make.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But some lawyers had disagreed on what arguments they should muster to have the lawsuit dismissed.

The New York Times

An Uber spokesman also declined to provide steerage on what arguments and concessions Khosrowshahi might be bringing to the meeting.

TechCrunch

Thus, the group was to decide which priorities they could give up or compromise on and based on what arguments and which priorities they would not be willing to compromise on.

International Journal for Educational Integrity

To gain insight into how orthodox protestant parents decide on vaccination, what arguments they use, and the consequences of their decisions, we conducted an in-depth interview study of both vaccinating and non-vaccinating orthodox protestant parents selected via purposeful sampling.

BMC Public Health

What argument is being made?

The New York Times - Arts

And what argument will Gov.

The New York Times

If those folks can buy off on this proposal, what arguments would Republicans who do their bidding have for not smoking a peace pipe with Obama and the Democrats.

Huffington Post

The viability of this defense of rule-consequentialism against the incoherence objection may depend in part on what the argument for rule-consequentialism is supposed to be.

SEP

8. What anti-terrorist help have the Saudis, Egyptians and Yemenis warned us not to ask them for, and what arguments are going on within the Bush administration about why we have so far supinely acceded to their demands?

The New York Times

As a political appointee of the president, the solicitor general decides on which cases to appeal and what arguments should be made.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on what argument" to directly question the basis or reasoning behind a claim, especially when seeking clarification or further detail.

Common error

Avoid using "on what argument" when you need to challenge the argument itself rather than seek its foundation. In the former case, consider directly addressing the argument's validity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on what argument" functions as an interrogative prepositional phrase, typically used to inquire about the underlying justification or reasoning behind a claim or statement. Ludwig confirms that the structure is grammatically sound and readily usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on what argument" is a grammatically correct and frequently used interrogative prepositional phrase aimed at eliciting the foundational reasoning behind a statement or decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions to seek clarification and is commonly found in news, scientific, and wiki contexts. The phrase is generally neutral to formal, making it suitable for both professional and academic settings. When using this phrase, ensure you're genuinely seeking the base reasoning and not challenging the argument itself. This will lead to more effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

based on which argument

Focuses on the foundation or reason for the argument.

upon what reasoning

Emphasizes the thought process or justification behind the argument.

according to what line of reasoning

Highlights a specific direction or method of thinking that supports the argument.

by what rationale

Stresses the logical principles underlying the argument.

on what basis is the argument made

Focuses on identifying the fundamental support or evidence for the argument.

what is the argument predicated on

Highlights the core assumption or foundation on which the argument is built.

what justification supports this argument

Emphasizes the need for a valid reason or explanation to back up the argument.

from what premise does the argument proceed

Focuses on the initial statement or assumption from which the argument develops.

what is the underlying argument

Asks for the fundamental or essential idea being argued.

what argumentative strategy is being employed

Highlights that the method used to persuade someone or advance reasoning may be a different choice of wording.

FAQs

How can I use "on what argument" in a sentence?

You can use "on what argument" to ask for clarification on the reasoning behind a statement. For example: "Can you elaborate on what argument you based your conclusion?"

What are some alternatives to "on what argument"?

Alternatives include "based on which argument", "upon what reasoning", or "by what rationale" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "on what argument" and "what is the argument"?

"On what argument" seeks the specific justification or reasoning, while "what is the argument" asks for a summary or restatement of the argument itself.

When is it appropriate to use "on what argument" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when questioning the basis of a claim or decision, particularly in legal, academic, or professional contexts where precise reasoning is important.