das Argument
argument
A reason or justification put forward to support an opinion or prove a claim.
EXAMPLE
Sein stärkstes Argument war, dass das Projekt zu teuer sei.
His strongest argument was that the project was too expensive.
das Argument
argument
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Meanings
das Argument
argument
In computer science, a value passed to a function or program when it is called in order to control its behavior.
EXAMPLE
Das Skript erwartet zwei Argumente: den Dateinamen und eine Option.
The script expects two arguments: the file name and an option.
das Argument
argument
In mathematics and logic, an independent variable on whose value the value of a function depends.
EXAMPLE
Der Sinus-Funktion wird als Argument ein Winkel übergeben.
An angle is passed as the argument to the sine function.
Usage tips
False friend
Careful: the German 'Argument' (argument) is only the factual reason in a discussion. An emotional argument or dispute is 'der Streit' in German. When two people in English 'have an argument', they are arguing; in German, they are only exchanging viewpoints.
EXAMPLE
In der Debatte brachte jeder Politiker seine eigenen Argumente vor.
In the debate, each politician put forward their own arguments.
Arguments for and against
To express which position an argument supports, the prepositions 'für' (for) and 'gegen' (against) are used. Both prepositions are followed by the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Es gibt viele Argumente für diese Entscheidung.
There are many arguments for this decision.
Typical verbs
In a discussion, you can 'vorbringen' (put forward), 'sammeln' (collect), 'austauschen' (exchange), or 'entkräften' (refute) arguments. If you have no reasons left, you 'run out' of arguments: 'die Argumente gehen einem aus'.
EXAMPLE
Die Opposition versuchte, die Argumente der Regierung zu entkräften.
The opposition tried to refute the government's arguments.
Technical language
In computer science and mathematics, 'Argument' (argument) has a special, technical meaning. You can recognize this use when the context is about functions, programs, or mathematical formulas.
EXAMPLE
Die Funktion benötigt drei Argumente, um korrekt zu laufen.
The function needs three arguments to run correctly.
Compare with
Argument vs Grund
reason / ground
Der Grund generally explains a decision, action, or opinion. Das Argument is a reason put forward in a discussion to support an opinion or persuade others. The same consideration can therefore be a personal reason and, in a discussion, an argument.
Argument
In der Diskussion waren die geringeren Kosten ihr stärkstes Argument für den Bus.
In the discussion, the lower cost was her strongest argument for taking the bus.
Grund
Die geringeren Kosten waren ihr wichtigster Grund für die Fahrt mit dem Bus.
The lower cost was her main reason for taking the bus.
In real life
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