Argument refers to a reasoned discussion or disagreement intended to persuade, or the underlying rationale or evidence presented in support of a claim. It can also denote a set of reasons or propositions forming the basis of a conclusion. In everyday use, it often describes a verbal clash, but structurally it involves claims, evidence, and logical progression.
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- Common pronunciation pitfall: the middle /j/ can be swallowed or the /t/ is dropped; fix by practicing the /ɡj/ sequence clearly and ending with a crisp /t/. - 2-3 focused corrections: • Ensure the initial vowel is broad; avoid a clipped /æ/ or /ɪ/ in place of /ɑː/. • Keep the /g/ hard; avoid a /dʒ/ or soft g blend. Prepare with a quick /j/ before the /ə/. • Do not reduce the final /t/ to a stop without releasing; practice a light final release to preserve the word’s proper coda. - Practice steps: break into syllables AR-GU-MENT; then blend, then whole-word tempo; use minimal pairs to lock in the /ɡ/ and /j/ sequence.
- US: rhotic /r/; ensure a full /ɑr/ onset; US speakers often keep the /r/ clearly. UK: often non-rhotic despite /ɹ/ in spelling; the /r/ may not be pronounced in some dialects; focus on the /ɡ/ and /j/ transitions. AU: variable rhoticity; often a more centralized /ə/ in the second syllable; maintain a clear /ɡ/ and /j/ to avoid conflation with /dʒ/. - Vowel details: First syllable should be broad /ɑː/ or /ɒ/ depending on accent; second syllable uses /jə/; final syllable /mənt/ with a light /ə/ and a clear /nt/ closure. IPA notes: US /ˈɑɹɡjəmənt/, UK /ˈɑːɡjəmənt/, AU /ˈaːɡdʒəmənt/ (approximations vary).
"They got into an argument about which route was faster."
"Her argument was that the policy would reduce emissions, supported by data."
"In the courtroom, the attorney presented an argument to convince the jury."
"The article presents a strong argument for stricter regulations."
The word argument comes from Middle English argument, derived from Latin argumentum, from the verb arguere meaning ‘to make clear, to prove, to accuse’ (from ad- ‘toward’ + agere ‘to drive, to lead’). The Latin term argumentum referred to a proof or a reason offered in support of a claim, or an accusation. In English, by the late 14th century, argument began to take on both senses: the act of arguing (discussion or dispute) and the content of such reasoning (a proposition, point, or claim). Over time, usage broadened to include logical debate, rhetoric, and even the lines of reasoning used to persuade or in evidence-based discourse. The pronunciation and form evolved with borrowing through Old French and Latin, settling into modern form as “argument” with the primary stress on the first syllable in many dialects, though some pronunciations shift slightly in rapid speech. First known use in English traces to the 14th century, aligning with the Latin-rooted sense of a reason or argument presented in support of a conclusion, and later the act of arguing itself became commonplace in legal, philosophical, and everyday contexts.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "argument" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "argument" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "argument"
-end sounds
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Pronounce as /ˈɑːrɡjəmənt/ in General American; /ˈɑːɡjəmənt/ in many UK varieties; AUS often renders it closer to /ˈaːɡjuːmənt/ with a slightly rounded vowel in the first syllable. Break it into AR-gyu-ment, with the middle syllable a quick /jə/ or /jə/ sound and the final /mənt/. Start with the open back vowel /ɑː/ or /ɑː/, then /ɡ/, then the /j/ glide before a schwa, ending in /mənt/. Speaking clearly, stress the first syllable.
Common errors: (1) Underpronouncing the first syllable, making it sound like "arg-" with insufficient open vowel; (2) Softening or misplacing the /ɡ/ leading to /ɑːr-dʒ-əmənt/ or /ˈɑːrɡjənmənt/; (3) Dropping the /t/ or turning it into a flap. Correction: maintain /ˈɑːrɡ/ cluster, ensure the /ɡ/ is hard, insert a clear /j/ glide into /jə/ before /mən(t)/, and produce a final crisp /t/ or an unreleased /t/ for informal speech.
In General American, it’s /ˈɑːrɡjəmənt/ with a rhotic /r/ and a clear /ɡ/. UK typically mirrors /ˈɑːɡjəmənt/ with a non-rhotic /r/ in some varieties, a slightly shorter vowel in the first syllable, and a reduced middle vowel. Australian English tends to a broad /ˈaːɡəmənt/ with a shorter, flatter /a/ in stressed syllable and a light /t/ or glottal stop for the final /t/. Consistent is the hard /g/ and the /j/ transition.
The difficulty lies in sequencing: the onset /ˈɑːrɡ/ blends a long back vowel, a hard /g/, and a /j/ glide into /mənt/. The middle /j/ sound is short and slips between consonants, which can blur when speaking quickly. Additionally, non-native speakers often misplace the stress or use a softer /t/ at the end. Practice separating the syllables and rehearsing the glide-to-consonant transition.
Yes. In argument, the letter 'u' is part of the /jə/ sequence after /ɡ/. In careful speech you hear a brief /j/ sound before the schwa: /ɡjə/. In rapid speech, this can reduce to /ɡjə/ becoming closer to /ɡə/ or /ɡənt/ in some accents, but standard, careful pronunciation maintains the /j/ and the schwa following the /ɡ/.
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- Shadowing: listen to native speech of “argument” from diverse sources; repeat in exact rhythm and intonation. - Minimal pairs: practice with /ˈɑːɡjəmənt/ vs. /ˈæɡjəmənt/ to fix vowel distinction. - Rhythm: stress on first syllable; practice alternating with a natural fast cadence to keep the middle /j/ crisp. - Intonation: in questions, rising intonation at the end; in statements, a falling pattern after /mənt/. - Stress practice: emphasize /ˈɑːrɡ/ then quick /jə/; - Recording: compare your audio to native references; adjust jaw and lip position with visual feedback.
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