supporting argument

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supporting argument" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a point or claim that provides evidence or rationale for a main argument in an essay, debate, or discussion. Example: "In her essay, she presented a strong supporting argument for the importance of renewable energy sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

When choosing between alternatives, we can only ask which is more likely to be correct, and which supporting argument is more plausible.

The New York Times

Based on this uncomplicated example, the supporting argument is simple: specialization and free exchange among nations yield higher real income for the participants.

Britannica

Yet that information, too, is limited to isolated signal as defined by the platform — a neat trick". Then she made her own supporting argument.

Harvard University

The main supporting argument is that student-centered communicative technologies in general, and gaming techniques in particular, improve the quality of training for international students when used in the organization of the learning process.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mann notes the anti-semitic hate mail he receives and links it - without supporting argument or evidence - to what he calls "the insipid [sic] growth of anti-semitism on the left under the cloak of anti-Zionism".

The Guardian - Opinion

It would then be, in effect, the philosophical rationale for the understanding of human nature that humanism has represented, typically without offering much in the way of supporting argument.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

The authors include references and supporting arguments for new classifications.

The Guardian

Chisholm, oddly, skipped over the detail of the supporting arguments.

The Guardian - Business

The administration laid out some of its supporting arguments in classified memos, filed under seal.

The New York Times

For supporting arguments, see Dretske (2004, 2007).

SEP

Without such supporting arguments, one's position in such a case would be much weaker.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting a "supporting argument", ensure it directly relates to and strengthens your main claim. Avoid tangential points that weaken your overall argument.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "supporting argument" as conclusive proof. It should bolster your claim but acknowledge potential counterarguments or limitations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supporting argument" primarily functions as a noun phrase that identifies a reason or piece of evidence used to validate or strengthen a claim. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

28%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "supporting argument" is a versatile and frequently used noun phrase that identifies elements which bolster a central claim. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread application across diverse contexts, from academic papers to news articles. When employing "supporting argument", ensure a clear link to the main claim, avoid presenting it as conclusive evidence, and consider alternatives such as "corroborating evidence" or "reinforcing rationale" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grounds for argument

Similar to "supporting argument" but puts more emphasis on the grounds that the argument stands on.

corroborating evidence

Focuses on evidence that confirms or strengthens a claim, emphasizing the aspect of confirmation.

reinforcing rationale

Highlights the strengthening of the underlying reasons or logic behind a statement.

justifying reason

Emphasizes the reason that makes an action or belief justifiable, highlighting the justification aspect.

substantiating claim

Focuses on providing evidence to prove the truth of a claim, emphasizing the substantiation aspect.

underlying justification

Highlights the basic or fundamental reasons behind a statement or action.

validation rationale

Focuses on reasons that validate or prove the correctness of something.

basis for assertion

Emphasizes the foundation or grounds on which an assertion is made.

rationale

A more concise way of referring to the underlying reasons and justifications. It omits the need for further support for a specific idea or opinion.

defense for position

Highlights defending a viewpoint by providing reasons and evidence.

FAQs

How do I effectively use "supporting argument" in a sentence?

A "supporting argument" should be clearly linked to the main claim and provide relevant evidence or reasoning. For example, "The study offers a strong supporting argument for the effectiveness of the new policy."

What are some alternatives to "supporting argument"?

You can use alternatives like "corroborating evidence", "reinforcing rationale", or "justifying reason" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "supporting argument" and "main argument"?

The "main argument" is the primary claim, while a "supporting argument" provides evidence or reasoning to strengthen the main claim. The former is the main point and the latter serves as justification.

Is it correct to say "an supporting argument" or "a supporting argument"?

The correct article to use is "a", as in "a supporting argument", because "supporting" begins with a consonant sound.