argue
argue — verb
1. to express anger, frustration, or strong disagreement to another person, usually
to express anger, frustration, or strong disagreement to another person, usually by speaking loudly or in a hostile way; the focus is on the emotional clash rather than on reasoning.
Theo and his sister argued for an hour about who would walk the dog.
argue with/about pattern in a domestic quarrel
Please stop arguing with your brother at the dinner table.
argue with + person, imperative
The two neighbours were still arguing over the broken fence at midnight.
Kenji hates it when his parents argue in front of the children.
Quinn and Noa argued loudly in the kitchen about who had burned the rice.
- quarrel
similar but slightly more old-fashioned; emphasises an ongoing bad feeling between people
- bicker
informal; suggests petty, repeated arguing about small things
- fight
broader and more emotional; can refer to arguing, but also to physical conflict
- row
British informal noun-and-verb; a noisy argument between people who know each other
文法句型
argue with someone
argue about/over something
argue with someone about/over something
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person; the verb is intransitive in this sense and often pairs with 'with' (the other person) and 'about' or 'over' (the topic). Distinguish from sense 2: this sense carries an angry, emotional tone, while sense 2 simply means giving reasons.
常見錯誤
2. to state your opinion or belief and explain the reasons behind it, especially wh
to state your opinion or belief and explain the reasons behind it, especially when you want listeners or readers to accept your view as correct.
Dr. Yusuf argues that schools should start later in the morning.
argue + that-clause stating a claim
The lawyer argued her client's case clearly in front of the jury.
transitive: argue + a case/point
Some scientists argue that the test results were not reliable enough.
'But the rule isn't fair,' the boy argued, looking up at his teacher.
The author argues her point with clear examples from real schools.
文法句型
argue that + clause
argue something
argue + direct speech
用法筆記
Only sense that takes a that-clause or direct speech as a complement. Common in academic, legal, and journalistic writing. Distinguish from sense 1: there is no anger here, only reasoned support for a position.
常見錯誤
3. to publicly support or oppose a plan, decision, or idea by listing reasons why i
to publicly support or oppose a plan, decision, or idea by listing reasons why it is a good or bad choice, usually in a meeting, article, or debate.
Several parents argued for a longer summer break at the school meeting.
argue for + the proposal you support
The mayor argued against building a new highway through the forest.
argue against + the proposal you oppose
Her column argues in favour of higher taxes on sugary drinks.
The young engineer argued strongly for switching the office to solar power.
- advocate
more formal; means to publicly recommend a policy or cause
- campaign for
to work over time, often publicly, to support a cause
- oppose
matches 'argue against'; to take a stand against something
- push for
informal; to keep pressing for a particular outcome
- argue against
the matching opposite preposition for the same verb
文法句型
argue for something
argue against something
argue in favour of something
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person, group, or piece of writing taking a public stance. The preposition signals which side: 'for' / 'in favour of' = support; 'against' = oppose. Distinguish from sense 2, which states a general claim; this sense is specifically about backing or opposing a concrete proposal.
常見錯誤
4. (of a fact, behaviour, or piece of evidence) to act as a sign that suggests some
(of a fact, behaviour, or piece of evidence) to act as a sign that suggests something is the case, even though the subject is not a person making a deliberate point.
The clean kitchen and tidy desk argue a careful, organised tenant.
inanimate subject + argue + noun phrase
Her calm reply under pressure argues real confidence in her work.
The rising sea levels argue against ignoring climate science any longer.
These fresh footprints by the river argue that someone passed through this morning.
- indicate
neutral and very common; works in everyday and formal writing
- suggest
softer; the evidence hints at, but does not prove, a conclusion
- point to
informal equivalent; the evidence guides you toward a conclusion
- demonstrate
stronger; the evidence shows something clearly
- contradict
the evidence works against the conclusion instead of supporting it
文法句型
something argues something
something argues that + clause
something argues for/against something
用法筆記
Formal and mostly written. The subject is not a speaker but a thing that acts as evidence (a fact, behaviour, sign, result). Distinguish from sense 2: there, a person argues; here, a piece of evidence does the 'arguing' on its own.