Meaning & use
small argument
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UK/ˌsmɔːl ˈɑːɡjʊmənt/
US/ˌsmɔːl ˈɑːrɡjəmənt/
Meaning
nouncountable
A minor disagreement or brief quarrel, usually not serious.
Grammar: Countable; plural 'small arguments'. Often appears with 'have', 'get into', or 'about'.
Patterns
- have a small argument
- get into a small argument
- a small argument about something
We had a small argument about whose turn it was to cook.
They got into a small argument over the TV remote.
It was just a small argument; they made up quickly.
Word forms
| plural | small arguments |
|---|
Common combinations
- have a small argument
- We had a small argument about the bill.
- get into a small argument
- He got into a small argument with his brother.
- a small argument about money
- They had a small argument about money last night.
- a small argument over something
- The small argument over parking was soon forgotten.
Synonyms and how they differ
- disagreement
- More general and often calmer; a disagreement can be silent, while an argument usually involves speaking.
- quarrel
- Stronger and more emotional than a small argument.
- spat
- Informal and often used for a brief, unimportant argument.
Opposites
Word family
- argue verb
- To disagree in words; the action behind an argument.
- argumentative adjective
- Often ready to argue; describes a person's tendency.
Commonly confused: small argument or small fight?
small argument vs small fight
'Fight' can mean physical violence; 'small argument' is only verbal.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
The usual verb with 'argument' is 'have'. 'Make', 'do', and 'take' do not collocate naturally with 'argument' in this sense.
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