there were arguments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were arguments" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that disputes or disagreements occurred in a particular context or situation. Example: "During the meeting, there were arguments about the proposed budget cuts that led to a heated discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So making this record with nine people, surely there were arguments?

The Guardian

In still other games there were arguments about whether hits should have been scored as fielders' errors.

Forbes

In an in-depth interview with BBC Sport, Vidic has underlined the hurt felt within the United dressing room at a disastrous season, admitting there were arguments between the players.

BBC

She said that Bamber's father did not trust him, and that whenever Bamber visited the farmhouse there were arguments.

Wikipedia

(In this work, we annotated all nominalizations, whether or not there were arguments present see Section 1.4, Contrasts between this work and NomBank).

Plosone

There were arguments and accidents.

The Guardian - Arts

There were arguments about conjunctions.

The Guardian - Books

But there were arguments against it.

The New York Times

And at school the next day, there were arguments.

The Guardian - Music

There were arguments to be heard from both sides.

The Guardian - Sport

There were arguments against this measure, Redmond explained.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there were arguments", ensure the context clearly indicates the subject and nature of the disagreements. Providing specific details enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "there were arguments" without specifying what the arguments were about. A lack of context can leave the reader confused about the significance of the disagreements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were arguments" functions as an assertion of past events, indicating the occurrence of disagreements or disputes. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. Examples show it describing disagreements in diverse situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "there were arguments" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate the presence of disagreements or disputes, as confirmed by Ludwig. Analysis of various sources indicates its prevalence in news and media, science, and wiki contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral, it’s essential to provide specific context to avoid ambiguity. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "disagreements arose" or "disputes occurred". Proper usage and context enhance clarity when describing conflict situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disagreements arose

Emphasizes the emergence of disagreements.

disputes occurred

Focuses on formal disagreements or conflicts.

controversies emerged

Highlights the development of public disagreements.

quarrels took place

Suggests more personal or petty disagreements.

differences of opinion surfaced

Focuses on the manifestation of differing viewpoints.

debates ensued

Emphasizes structured discussions with opposing viewpoints.

altercations happened

Indicates heated or physical disagreements.

conflicts arose

Highlights the development of conflict situations.

clashes occurred

Focuses on direct and often intense disagreements.

disagreements broke out

Emphasizes the sudden eruption of disagreements.

FAQs

How can I use "there were arguments" in a sentence?

You can use "there were arguments" to indicate that disagreements or disputes occurred in a specific situation. For example, "During the negotiation, "there were arguments" about the terms of the contract".

What are some alternatives to saying "there were arguments"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "disagreements arose", "disputes occurred", or "controversies emerged".

Which is more appropriate, "there were arguments" or "there was an argument"?

"There were arguments" is suitable when referring to multiple disagreements, while "there was an argument" is appropriate when discussing a single, specific dispute. The choice depends on the number of disagreements you're referencing.

What's the difference between "there were arguments" and "there were discussions"?

"There were discussions" implies a neutral exchange of ideas, while ""there were arguments"" suggests disagreements and potentially heated exchanges. The key difference lies in the presence of conflict or opposing viewpoints.