Collocations for argument - noun
1. angry discussion
ADJ.
angry, bitter, heated, violent | big
I had a big argument with my mother this morning.
I had a big argument with my mother this morning.
little, silly, stupid
VERB + ARGUMENT
become/get involved in, get into, have
I don''t want to get into an argument with her.
I don''t want to get into an argument with her.
cause, provoke, start | lose, win
I was determined to win the argument.
I was determined to win the argument.
ARGUMENT + VERB
arise, break out, develop, erupt
Minutes later a violent argument erupted.
Minutes later a violent argument erupted.
PREP.
~ about
We had an argument about what we should buy.
We had an argument about what we should buy.
~ between
an argument between her parents
an argument between her parents
~ over
The argument over decentralization will probably continue for ever.
The argument over decentralization will probably continue for ever.
~ with
an argument with his wife
an argument with his wife
2. reason supporting opinion
ADJ.
basic, general | main | good, major, powerful, sound, strong, valid | compelling, conclusive, convincing, persuasive | plausible
Their argument sounds plausible but is it really valid?
Their argument sounds plausible but is it really valid?
spurious, tenuous, weak | balanced | logical, rational, reasoned | economic, moral, political, theoretical
VERB + ARGUMENT
advance, deploy, offer, present, put forward
He put forward some very convincing arguments.
He put forward some very convincing arguments.
develop
This argument is developed further in the next chapter.
This argument is developed further in the next chapter.
illustrate, support, underline
Do you have any evidence to support your argument?
Do you have any evidence to support your argument?
consider, hear, listen to | accept, agree with | dismiss, reject
The company dismissed his arguments as alarmist.
The company dismissed his arguments as alarmist.
counter, refute
She tried to think how to refute the argument on moral grounds.
She tried to think how to refute the argument on moral grounds.
ARGUMENT + VERB
be based on sth
The government''s argument is always based on how much such a scheme would cost.
The government''s argument is always based on how much such a scheme would cost.
go, run
Centralized government, so the argument goes, is too far removed from the problems of ordinary citizens.
Centralized government, so the argument goes, is too far removed from the problems of ordinary citizens.
apply (for sth)
The same argument applies to fox-hunting.
The same argument applies to fox-hunting.
justify sth | suggest sth
These arguments suggest that the medical establishment had an interest in suppressing the research.
These arguments suggest that the medical establishment had an interest in suppressing the research.
PREP.
~ against
the arguments against increasing taxes
the arguments against increasing taxes
~ concerning
arguments concerning the nature of morality
arguments concerning the nature of morality
~ for
There is a very good argument for increasing spending on education. | ~ in favour ofWhat are the arguments in favour of change?
There is a very good argument for increasing spending on education. | ~ in favour ofWhat are the arguments in favour of change?
PHRASES
all/both sides of an argument
He was able to see both sides of the argument.
He was able to see both sides of the argument.
a flaw in the argument
I can see no flaw in the argument as she has just explained it.
I can see no flaw in the argument as she has just explained it.
a line of argument
I can see a few problems with this line of argument.
I can see a few problems with this line of argument.