ENGLISH
REFERENCE

argue

v.
A2 Elementary Oxford US //ˈɑɹɡju// UK //ˈɑːɡjuː// ar·gue Archaic General-service

v. to speak angrily to someone because you disagree with them. You can also use it to give reasons for your opinion in a serious discussion.

v. to exchange divergent or opposite views, typically in a heated or angry way. In a formal or academic context, it involves presenting reasons or evidence in support of an idea, action, or theory.


SIMPLE

My parents often argue about what to eat for dinner.

CONTEXTUAL

The lawyers will argue that the new evidence proves their client is innocent.

COMPLEX

While some critics argue that the film's pacing is too slow, others maintain that the deliberate speed is essential for building tension.

Synonyms
Origin

Etymology tree Latin arguōder. Old French arguerbor. Middle English arguen English argue From Middle English arguen, from Old French arguer, from Latin arguere (“to declare, show, prove, make clear, reprove, accuse”), q.v. for more. Displaced native Old English flītan and reċċan.

Usage

The verb is intransitive when describing a disagreement ('argue with someone') and transitive when introducing a formal point ('argue that...').

Pitfall

we argued about to go outwe argued about going outWhen 'argue about' is followed by an action, you must use the -ing form (gerund), not the infinitive.

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