point of argument

USAGE SUMMARY

"point of argument" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when you're referring to a premise or idea someone has expressed in support of an argument or to introduce a specific issue within an argument. Example: John's point of argument was that the government should consider implementing a carbon tax.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

One point of argument is how many men the patrol killed.

The Guardian

For years, this was a point of argument against the United States taking action to address climate change: It's a global problem and China pollutes more than we do, so why should we limit ourselves economically when China doesn't?

The Washington Post

Zalman Shoval, a senior foreign policy adviser to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, used the two attacks as a point of argument against the communiqué issued at the United Nations on Tuesday by Secretary of State Colin L. Powell; the United Nations secretary general, Kofi Annan; Russian Foreign Minister Igor S. Ivanov, and senior representatives of the European Union.

The New York Times

The perceived threat of ontological naturalism is also a major point of argument between intelligent design advocates and evolutionists.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

However, times of earthquakes are precisely dated in historical documents, but the assignment of the events as a Kanto recurrent earthquake is the point of argument.

Earth, Planets and Space

UKIP Wales leader Neil Hamilton then intervened, saying it was a "point of argument and debate" and the remarks were related to a bill on gender recognition in the House of Commons.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"What purpose does it serve to have actors recreate these incidents when we already have such strong photographic proof?" Of course one of Mr. Morris's main points of argument is that "photographic proof" can be nothing of the kind.

The New York Times

Pico's other works include an exposition of Genesis under the title Heptaplus (Greek hepta, "seven"), indicating his seven points of argument, and a synoptic treatment of Plato and Aristotle, of which the completed work De ente et uno (Of Being and Unity) is a portion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We should be past these points of argument.

Huffington Post

Strike up conversations about things in which you can contribute valid points of argument or information.

WikiHow

There are certain areas of your policies that can be points of argument between you and the insurer.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, specify whose "point of argument" it is (e.g., "His point of argument was...").

Common error

Avoid using "point of argument" when referring to a general discussion without a specific, debatable claim. Instead, use phrases like "topic of discussion" or "subject matter".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "point of argument" functions as a noun phrase identifying a specific issue or claim that is subject to debate or disagreement. Ludwig confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "point of argument" is a noun phrase used to denote a specific issue or claim under debate. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, though its frequency is uncommon. The phrase is used most frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts. While generally neutral, its formality can increase depending on the surrounding context. When using "point of argument", ensure clarity by specifying the issue and whose point it is. Be mindful not to use it for general discussions lacking a specific, debatable claim. Consider alternatives such as "point of contention" or "matter of controversy" for more formal settings, or "bone of contention" to emphasize disagreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

point of contention

Slightly more formal synonym for "point of argument".

matter of contention

Replaces 'argument' with 'contention', emphasizing disagreement.

subject of debate

Substitutes "point" with "subject" and "argument" with "debate", focusing on the discussion aspect.

matter of controversy

Emphasizes the controversial nature of the topic under discussion.

bone of contention

An idiomatic expression highlighting the cause of disagreement.

disputed point

Highlights that the point itself is being challenged or questioned.

issue in dispute

Replaces "point of argument" with a more formal expression for a disagreement.

area of disagreement

Focuses on the lack of agreement rather than the argument itself.

contentious issue

Highlights the controversial nature of the topic.

core of the disagreement

Emphasizes the central aspect of the disagreement.

FAQs

How can I use "point of argument" in a sentence?

You can use "point of argument" to refer to a specific idea or issue being debated. For example: "The "point of argument" was whether the data supported the conclusion."

What's a more formal alternative to "point of argument"?

A more formal alternative could be "point of contention" or "matter of controversy" depending on the context.

Is "point of argument" interchangeable with "main idea"?

Not always. "Main idea" refers to the central theme, while "point of argument" refers to a specific claim within a debate.

What can I say instead of "point of argument" to emphasize disagreement?

To emphasize disagreement, consider using "bone of contention" or "contentious issue".