argue
gb/ˈɑɹɡju/ us/ˈɑɹɡju/
B1
Inglés
~ 800
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Verbo
B1
action
1
Speak angrily in disagreement
To talk to someone in an angry way because you do not agree.
Patrón de uso:
to argue with [someone] about [something]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse 'argue' meaning 'discuss' with 'argue' meaning 'fight'; in casual contexts, 'argue' often implies anger.
Sinónimos
quarrel (Often more emotional and less reasoned; can be physical or verbal.)
Antónimos
agree (Indicates having the same opinion instead of opposing views.)
Colocaciones
argue heatedly
|argue endlessly
|argue bitterly
|argue constantly
Temas
emotions
|communication
|daily life
|relationships
Ejemplos
- They always argue about money.
- The couple argued late into the night.
- We argued over whose turn it was to cook dinner.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I argued with my brother about the TV.
- They argue every day about small things.
- She argued with her friend about the game.
Verbo
B2
action
2
Give reasons for an opinion
To give reasons to show that your idea is right or another idea is wrong.
Patrón de uso:
to argue that [clause]
Error frecuente:
Learners may forget to use 'that' after 'argue' when introducing a statement, especially in formal writing.
Sinónimos
contend (More formal; emphasizes stating a position strongly.)
Antónimos
concede (Means to admit that the other side is correct.)
Colocaciones
argue convincingly
|argue persuasively
|argue strongly
|argue coherently
Temas
communication
|education
|politics
Ejemplos
- She argued that the policy would harm small businesses.
- The lawyer argued for his client's innocence.
- Scientists argue that climate change is accelerating.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- He argued that the plan was good.
- She argued for a new school bus.
- They argue that the rules are not fair.
Verbo
B2
action
3
Persuade through reasoning
To try to make someone agree with you by giving reasons.
Patrón de uso:
to argue [someone] into/out of [doing something]
Error frecuente:
Learners may omit 'into' or 'out of' when using this pattern, which changes the meaning.
Sinónimos
persuade (Broader term; doesn't necessarily involve debate or opposition.)
Antónimos
dissuade (Means to persuade someone not to do something.)
Colocaciones
argue someone into doing
|argue someone out of doing
Temas
communication
|influence
|education
Ejemplos
- I finally argued him into joining the team.
- She argued me out of quitting my job.
- They tried to argue her into buying a bigger house.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- He argued me into going to the park.
- She argued him out of buying the phone.
- They argued her into joining the club.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
argue
AFI
GB/ˈɑɹɡju/
US/ˈɑɹɡju/
Sílabas y acento
ar - gue (2 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (ar)
Formas de la palabra
Verb
- Base: argue
- 3rd Person Singular: argues
- Present Participle: arguing
- Past: argued
Familia de palabras
Expresiones
argue the toss
1/ˈɑɹɡju ðə tˈɔs/
idiom
informal
Complain after decision made
To complain about or try to change a decision that is already final.
Ejemplos
- The manager said no, so there's no point arguing the toss.
- He kept arguing the toss even after we explained everything.
argue with yourself
1/ˈɑɹɡju wˈɪθ jʊɹsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
Debate internally about choices
To think about two different choices and try to decide between them in your head.
Ejemplos
- I spent hours arguing with myself about whether to quit.
- She argued with herself before making the call.
play devil's advocate
1/plˈeɪ dˈɛvəlz ˈædvəkɪt/
idiom
argue against an idea to test it
to pretend to disagree with an idea, even if you agree with it, so that you and other people can test how strong the idea is
Ejemplos
- I'm just playing devil's advocate here—what if we're wrong?
- Let me play devil’s advocate for a minute and question your assumptions.
- She played devil's advocate to see how strong his argument was.
- He likes to play devil’s advocate to make discussions more interesting.
- The lawyer played devil’s advocate to prepare her client for cross-examination.