to argue

USAGE SUMMARY

"to argue" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is usually used as an infinitive verb, and can be used in various ways such as to express the act of engaging in a debate or disagreement, or to persuade or convince someone of something. Example: I decided to argue my point in the meeting, despite knowing that it would be met with opposition.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hard to argue.

The New Yorker

ECONOMISTS love to argue.

The Economist

Hard to argue there.

The New York Times

They started to argue.

The New York Times - Sports

It's hard to argue.

The New York Times - Tech

"We began to argue less.

The New York Times

Who was Woods to argue?

The New York Times - Sports

It was difficult to argue.

Independent

"There's no sense to argue.

The New York Times

To argue otherwise is wilful.

Independent

It's hard to argue with.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to argue" when you want to express the act of presenting reasons for or against something, engaging in a debate, or trying to persuade someone of a particular point of view. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "to argue" is versatile, avoid overusing it in very casual conversations. Alternatives like "to discuss", "to chat", or "to talk about" might be more appropriate in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to argue" is as an infinitive verb. It commonly introduces a clause expressing a purpose, intention, or action related to presenting a case or debating a point. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across a wide range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to argue" functions as an infinitive verb used to express debating, presenting reasons, or disagreeing. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage. While versatile, consider the context: "to argue" is suitable for formal and informal settings, though less formal alternatives may be preferable in casual conversation. The phrase appears most commonly in news and media sources and is grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to debate

Focuses more on a structured discussion or formal contest of opposing arguments.

to contend

Suggests a more forceful assertion or struggle for a particular viewpoint.

to assert

Implies a confident and forceful statement of a belief or fact.

to maintain

Emphasizes the act of consistently upholding a particular position or belief.

to reason

Highlights the use of logical thinking and evidence to support a claim.

to dispute

Focuses on questioning or challenging the validity of something.

to discuss

Indicates a more general exchange of ideas or information.

to plead

Suggests an emotional or persuasive appeal in support of a position.

to expostulate

Implies a strong expression of disapproval or opposition.

to advocate

Focuses on publicly supporting or recommending a particular cause or policy.

FAQs

How can I use "to argue" in a sentence?

You can use "to argue" in various sentence structures, such as "He wanted "to argue" his case before the judge", or "They began "to argue" about the best solution".

What are some alternatives to "to argue"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "to debate", "to contend", "to discuss", or "to assert".

Is it always negative "to argue"?

No, the phrase isn't inherently negative. It simply means to present a case or reason. It can be used in positive or neutral contexts, such as "to argue for a cause".

When is it appropriate to use "to argue" in writing?

Use "to argue" in situations where you need to present a viewpoint, support a claim, or engage in a discussion about differing opinions. It is appropriate in academic papers, news articles, and professional reports.