Meaning & use
arguing
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“arguing” is a form of “argue”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitive
Quarreling with someone by exchanging angry or competing remarks because you disagree about something.
Grammar: Usually no object; often followed by with or about: they are arguing about money.
Patterns
- arguing with someone
- arguing about something
- arguing over something
My brothers are arguing again about whose turn it is to wash the dishes.
I am tired of arguing with you every morning over the thermostat.
The neighbors were arguing so loudly that we could hear them through the wall.
verbtransitive or intransitive
Presenting reasons and evidence in order to persuade others that an idea or claim is correct.
Grammar: Can take a that-clause or stand alone with for or against: she is arguing that taxes should fall; he is arguing for reform.
Patterns
- arguing that something is true
- arguing for something
- arguing against something
- arguing a case
The author is arguing that cities should plant more trees along busy roads.
Our lawyer spent the afternoon arguing for a shorter sentence.
Several scientists are arguing against the proposed ban on the chemical.
Common combinations
- arguing over money
- The couple spent years arguing over money before they met a financial adviser.
- arguing with a referee
- The coach was sent off for arguing with the referee after the final whistle.
- arguing the point
- I do not feel like arguing the point any further tonight.
- arguing for change
- Students are arguing for change in how exams are scheduled.
- arguing in circles
- We kept arguing in circles because neither of us would give an inch.
- arguing a case in court
- She made her name arguing cases in court for tenants.
Synonyms and how they differ
- quarreling
- Quarreling is almost always emotional and personal, whereas arguing can also be calm and based on reasons.
- bickering
- Bickering describes petty, repeated squabbles over small matters, which is narrower than the general act of arguing.
- debating
- Debating suggests an orderly exchange of opposing views, often with rules, while arguing can be messy and angry.
- contending
- Contending is a formal word for claiming something is true, and it fits only the reasoning sense of arguing.
Opposites
Word family
- argue verb
- the base verb: to quarrel or to present reasons
- argument noun
- an angry disagreement, or a set of reasons supporting a claim
- argumentative adjective
- fond of arguing or inclined to disagree
- arguable adjective
- open to debate, or reasonably supportable
- arguably adverb
- used to say that a claim can be defended with good reasons
Commonly confused: arguing or disputing?
arguing vs disputing
Disputing means questioning whether something is true or fair, often formally, and does not need two people shouting at each other.
Practice
The author is ___ that schools should start later in the morning, and she offers three studies to prove it.
Choose one answer.
Arguing that introduces a reasoned claim backed by evidence. Quarreling and bickering describe angry personal conflict and do not take a that-clause with supporting studies.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “arguing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.