alegar: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal / Archaic
Quick answer
What does “alegar” mean?
To allege.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To allege; to assert without proof.
In Spanish and Portuguese, 'alegar' means to argue, plead, or adduce reasons or evidence in support of a claim. In English contexts, it can refer to the act of presenting an argument or alleging something, though this usage is archaic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Neither variety uses 'alegar' in standard modern English. The correct form 'allege' is used identically in both BrE and AmE.
Connotations
If encountered, 'alegar' would likely be perceived as a typo for 'allege' or a foreign (Iberian) word.
Frequency
Frequency is effectively zero in standard English corpora.
Grammar
How to Use “alegar” in a Sentence
alegar + que + clausealegar + noun phraseVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “alegar” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The claimant did not alegar any new evidence. [Archaic/error]
American English
- The brief failed to alegar sufficient facts. [Archaic/error]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Potentially in historical texts or discussions of Iberian law/philosophy.
Everyday
Not used in English.
Technical
In English, no technical use. In Spanish/Portuguese legal contexts: to plead or adduce arguments.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alegar”
- Misspelling 'allege' as 'alegar'.
- Using 'alegar' in English writing when meaning 'allege'.
- Pronouncing 'allege' with a hard /ɡ/ as in 'alegar'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'alegar' is not a standard modern English word. It is an archaism or a misspelling of 'allege'.
In Spanish, 'alegar' means to argue, plead, or adduce reasons or evidence in support of something.
In an English context attempting the Spanish word, it's /a.leˈɡaɾ/. If mistakenly used for 'allege', it would be /əˈleɡər/.
No. You should use the correct modern English verb 'allege'.
To allege.
Alegar is usually formal / archaic in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'ALLEGE' but missing an 'L' – an 'L' of proof?
Conceptual Metaphor
ARGUMENT IS A STRUCTURE (to build a case)
Practice
Quiz
What is the most likely scenario for encountering the word 'alegar' in an English context?