argument
B1Neutral (used across all registers from formal to informal)
Definition
Meaning
A conversation or discussion in which people express differing opinions, often with strong feelings; also, a reason or set of reasons presented to support or oppose an idea.
1. A connected series of statements or propositions (premises) intended to establish a conclusion. 2. In programming/computing: a value or reference passed to a function, procedure, or subroutine.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is polysemous. The 'disagreement' sense is countable (we had an argument). The 'reasoning' sense can be countable (a strong argument) or uncountable (let's examine the line of argument). The computing sense is countable and highly technical.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Very minor. Spelling differences in related forms: UK 'argument', US 'argument'; UK 'arguement' is always incorrect. UK speakers may use 'row' more frequently for intense personal arguments.
Connotations
Similar core connotations. The 'disagreement' sense is slightly more associated with emotional conflict in everyday speech than the logical sense.
Frequency
High frequency in both varieties. The logical/proof sense is more frequent in academic contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have an argument (with someone) (about/over something)get into an argumentmake/advance/present an argument (that...)the argument for/against somethingit is beyond argument that...settle/resolve an argumentVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A losing argument”
- “Argument for argument's sake”
- “Be open to argument”
- “Beyond argument”
- “Picket-fence argument (US)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for discussing strategy or proposals ('The financial argument for the merger is compelling').
Academic
Central term for the logical structure of a thesis or paper ('The author's main argument is flawed').
Everyday
Primarily used for verbal disagreements ('We had an argument about who should do the dishes').
Technical
In programming: 'Pass the filename as a command-line argument.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They argued passionately about the new policy.
- She argued that the data was unreliable.
- I hate it when they argue in public.
American English
- They argued over who would pay the bill.
- His lawyer will argue the case next week.
- Let's not argue; just decide.
adverb
British English
- He stated his case arguably better than anyone else.
- Arguably, the company's success was due to timing.
American English
- Arguably, this is the most important election in decades.
- She is arguably the team's most valuable player.
adjective
British English
- She gave an arguable defence of the proposal.
- It's arguable whether this is the best approach.
- The most arguable point is the cost.
American English
- That's a highly arguable interpretation of the law.
- It is arguable that he was the finest player of his generation.
- The report's conclusions are arguable.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My parents had an argument.
- I don't want an argument.
- It was a silly argument about the TV.
- We had a big argument about where to go on holiday.
- The main argument for the new law is safety.
- He lost the argument and had to apologise.
- The couple's argument stemmed from a misunderstanding.
- Her essay presents a cogent argument for educational reform.
- The scientists engaged in a heated argument over the methodology.
- The philosopher deconstructed the argument's underlying premises.
- Despite their vehement argument, they reached a compromise.
- The parameter is passed as the third argument to the function.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A GRUMMY ENT' - Imagine a grumpy elephant having a loud ARGUMENT with a mouse. The elephant presents its ARGUMENT (reason) for why the mouse should move.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARGUMENT IS WAR (attack a position, defend a point, win/lose an argument); ARGUMENT IS A JOURNEY (line of argument, follow an argument); ARGUMENT IS A CONTAINER (full of holes, watertight argument).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'argument' to mean 'subject/topic of a text' (use 'theme' or 'subject'). 'Argument' does not mean 'proof' or 'evidence' directly. The computing term 'argument' is often translated as 'аргумент', a direct borrowing, but the everyday meaning differs.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect spelling: 'arguement'. Using uncountable form incorrectly: 'We had argument' (correct: 'We had an argument'). Confusing 'argument' (quarrel) with 'discussion' (more neutral).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'argument' used in its COMPUTING sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An 'argument' can be a calm, logical discussion of differing views, while a 'quarrel' almost always implies anger, hostility, and is often personal.
Yes, but less commonly. The uncountable form refers to the process of reasoning itself (e.g., 'Let's examine the argument presented by the author'). The countable form is far more frequent.
No. An 'argument' is the reasoning that attempts to lead to a conclusion. 'Proof' is the evidence or logical demonstration that establishes a conclusion as true. An argument may or may not contain proof.
Because the verb is 'argue', and the 'e' is often mistakenly retained when adding '-ment'. The correct spelling drops the 'e' (argue + ment = argument). This follows the common rule of dropping a silent 'e' before a vowel suffix.
Collections
Part of a collection
Media and Communication
B1 · 50 words · Language for discussing media and communication.
Relationships
B1 · 49 words · Vocabulary for interpersonal and social connections.
Abstract Thinking
B2 · 49 words · Words for ideas, reasoning and intellectual concepts.
Debate Vocabulary
B2 · 48 words · Language for constructing arguments and discussions.
Critical Thinking
C1 · 49 words · Vocabulary for structured logical reasoning and analysis.