they argue over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they argue over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a disagreement or debate between individuals or groups regarding a specific topic or issue. Example: "They argue over the best approach to solving the environmental crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Do they argue over what to buy?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Still, while they argue over solutions, both parties acknowledge the problems and their political urgency.

The New York Times

Now they argue over whether it is acceptable to sneer at Muslim women in religious dress.

The Guardian - Opinion

When they argue over luge, Oberstolz-Antonova said, her husband is right most of the time.

The New York Times - Sports

They argue over who has to stay with young Waylon the first night.

The New York Times

Meeting in a conference room, they argue over candidates who are "on the bubble" between admission and rejection.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Third-wave feminism also seeks to challenge or avoid what it deems the second wave's essentialist definitions of femininity, which, they argue, over-emphasize the experiences of upper middle-class white women.

Wikipedia

They may argue over the details, but they are focused on the same ultimate goal: establishing financial uniformity.

Harvard Business Review

They argued over Catherine.

The Washington Post

That evening, they argued over whether Morgan could stay.

The New Yorker

Then they argued over top tables and "influence in Europe".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they argue over", ensure that the subject (they) is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example: "The siblings argue over who gets to use the car."

Common error

Avoid using "they argue over" when the disagreement is not the central point of the sentence. If the focus is on the outcome, rather than the argument itself, rephrase to highlight the result. For example, instead of "They argue over the budget, leading to a deadlock", try "Their budget dispute led to a deadlock".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they argue over" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a disagreement or dispute between multiple parties regarding a specific topic. Ludwig shows numerous examples where this phrase is used to describe conflicts ranging from personal to political.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

9%

Lifestyle

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they argue over" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a disagreement or debate between parties. According to Ludwig, the phrase is most often found in news and media contexts but can also appear in less formal settings. While some alternative phrases exist, such as "they debate about" and "they dispute about", the specific choice depends on the nuance one wishes to convey. As the Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is a correct and usable part of the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they disagree on

Shifts the focus to the disagreement itself, rather than the act of arguing.

they debate about

Replaces "argue" with "debate", focusing on a more formal discussion.

they dispute about

Substitutes "argue" with "dispute", suggesting a more pointed disagreement.

they contend over

Substitutes "argue" with "contend", implying a strong disagreement, and often formal discussion.

they have a disagreement about

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the presence of a disagreement.

they are at odds over

Indicates a state of conflict or disagreement between the parties.

they quarrel over

Replaces "argue" with "quarrel", indicating a more emotional disagreement.

they clash over

Replaces "argue" with "clash", focusing on conflicting opinions.

they wrangle about

Substitutes "argue" with "wrangle", implying a prolonged and possibly petty argument.

they bicker about

Replaces "argue" with "bicker", suggesting a series of small, irritating arguments.

FAQs

How can I use "they argue over" in a sentence?

You can use "they argue over" to describe a situation where two or more parties are in disagreement and debating a particular issue. For example: "Scientists argue over the best approach to mitigate climate change."

What are some alternatives to saying "they argue over"?

You can use alternatives like "they debate about", "they dispute about", or "they contend over" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "they argue on" instead of "they argue over"?

While "argue on" can be used in some contexts (e.g. "they argue on the phone"), "they argue over" is generally the correct and more common phrasing when discussing the subject of the argument.

What's the difference between "they argue over" and "they discuss"?

"They argue over" implies a disagreement or conflict, while "they discuss" suggests a more neutral exchange of ideas. Use "they argue over" when there is contention or opposition involved, not simply a conversation.