we have argued

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we have argued" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that multiple people have already engaged in a discussion or presented their point of view on a subject. For example, "We have argued about the issue for hours, but we still can't seem to come to an agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have argued that he is right.

The New York Times

He said: 'How could we have argued with total freedom?

The New York Times - Sports

We have argued that sand glass is a good visualization metaphor to view flows.

Stanford University

But Smith did not obsess over economic efficiency, as we have argued in another blog post.

The Economist

But as we have argued in the past, these days work is rather modish.

The Economist

And we have argued that the same principles should be applied on the internet.

The Economist

"As we have argued, that is where the resolution of this important issue belongs".

The New York Times

But as we have argued before, America does not behave like a low-trust country, either.

The Economist

The ideal tax system, as we have argued many times, is neutral between sources of income.

The Economist

We have argued that views about fairness will be most predictive of discontent with economic inequality.

The Guardian

'We have argued it out at great length and will absolutely continue to do.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we have argued" to refer back to claims made in a document

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences or paragraphs with "we have argued". This can make your writing repetitive. Vary your sentence structure and use synonyms to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have argued" functions as a reporting verb phrase. It indicates that the speaker(s) have previously presented a specific viewpoint or defended a particular position. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it is commonly used to refer back to previously stated claims.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

36%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we have argued" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in English. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively refers back to previously presented viewpoints or claims. Predominantly found in science, news, and academic contexts, it serves the purpose of reiterating established positions and providing context. While its usage is widespread, it's advisable to ensure clarity about the reference of "we" and to avoid overuse for stylistic purposes. Related phrases such as "we have asserted" and "we have maintained" can offer suitable alternatives to maintain variety in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we have asserted

Changes the verb to "asserted", emphasizing a confident and forceful statement.

we have maintained

Replaces "argued" with "maintained", suggesting a consistent defense of a particular position over time.

we have posited

Uses "posited" instead of "argued", indicating that a statement has been proposed as a basis for reasoning.

we have contended

Substitutes "argued" with "contended", highlighting a firm declaration often made in the face of opposition.

we have submitted

Replaces "argued" with "submitted", implying the presentation of an idea for consideration or judgment.

we have proposed

Changes the verb to "proposed", suggesting that an idea has been put forward for discussion or acceptance.

we have claimed

Replaces "argued" with "claimed", indicating a declaration of something as a fact, often without providing proof.

it has been our argument

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the argument itself rather than the act of arguing.

our stance has been

Shifts the focus to the "stance" or position taken, rather than the act of arguing.

we've taken the position that

Uses a more verbose structure to express the same idea, highlighting the adoption of a particular position.

FAQs

How can I use "we have argued" in a sentence?

Use "we have argued" to refer back to a point that you and others have previously made. For example, "We have argued that this approach is more effective based on our previous research."

What can I say instead of "we have argued"?

You can use alternatives like "we have asserted", "we have maintained", or "we have proposed" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "we have argued" in formal writing?

Yes, "we have argued" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in academic or professional contexts where you need to refer to previously stated positions. However, ensure that your tone remains objective and professional.

What's the difference between "we have argued" and "we argue"?

"We have argued" implies that the argument has been presented before, while "we argue" suggests that the argument is being presented now. For example, "We have argued for these changes in our previous report, and today "we argue" that they are still necessary."