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Definition of argue verb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

      

    argue

     verb
    verb
    NAmE//ˈɑrɡyu//
     
    Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they argue
     
    he / she / it argues
     
    past simple argued
     
    -ing form arguing
     
     
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  1. 1[intransitive] to speak angrily to someone because you disagree with them My brothers are always arguing. He's offering to pay so who am I to argue? argue (with somebody) (about/over something) We're always arguing with each other about money. argue with somebody I don't want to argue with you—just do it!
  2. 2[intransitive, transitive] to give reasons why you think that something is right/wrong, true/not true, etc., especially to persuade people that you are right argue for/against something/doing something They argued for the right to strike. argue something She argued the case for bringing back the death penalty. He was too tired to argue the point (= discuss the matter). a well-argued article argue that… He argued that they needed more time to finish the project. It could be argued that laws are made by and for men. Language Bankneverthelessconceding a point and making a counterargument
    • While the movie is undoubtedly too long, it is nevertheless an intriguing work of art.
    • It can be argued that the movie is too long. It is nonetheless an intriguing work of art.
    • The movie is undoubtedly too long. Still, it is an intriguing work of art.
    • Of course, huge chunks of the book have been sacrificed in order to make a two-hour movie, but it is nevertheless a successful piece of storytelling.
    • Critics are wrong to argue that the movie's plot is too complicated. Certainly there are a couple of major twists, but audiences will have no difficulty following them.
    • It is true that you cannot make a good movie without a good script, but it is equally true that a talented director can make a good script into an excellent movie.
    • It remains to be seen whether these two movies herald a new era of westerns, but there is no doubt that they represent welcome additions to the genre.
    Language Bankperhapsmaking an opinion sound less definite
    • Most cybercrime involves traditional crimes, such as theft and fraud, being committed in new ways. Phishing is perhaps/possibly/probably the best-known example of this.
    • It seems/appears that the more personal data that organizations collect, the more opportunity there is for this information to be lost or stolen.
    • It seems clear that the widespread use of Social Security numbers to identify people contributes to the problem of identity theft.
    • It could be argued that the widespread use of Social Security numbers to identify people contributes to the problem of identity theft.
    • It is possible that/It may be that the only way to protect ourselves against DNA identity theft is to avoid the creation of national DNA databases.
  3. 3[transitive] argue something (formal) to show clearly that something exists or is true These latest developments argue a change in government policy.
  4. Language Bankargueverbs for reporting an opinion
    • Some critics argue that Picasso remained a great master all his life.
    • Others maintain that his post-war work showed a significant deterioration in quality.
    • Picasso himself claimed that good art is created, but great art is stolen.
    • As Smith has noted, Picasso borrowed imagery from African art.
    • As the author points out, Picasso borrowed imagery from African art.
    • The writer challenges the notion that Picasso's sculpture was secondary to his painting.
    • It has been suggested that/Sanchez suggests that Picasso's painting was influenced by jazz music.
    Phrasal Verbsargue with
See argue in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

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