to argue
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to argue
To present reasons and evidence for or against a particular opinion or position in a discussion or text in order to convince others.
Sie kann sehr gut argumentieren und ihre Standpunkte überzeugend vertreten.
She can argue very well and present her points of view convincingly.
Careful: 'argumentieren' (to argue) means to give factual reasons for a position. It is not the same as the English 'to argue' when it means having an emotional quarrel.
In der Debatte hat sie sehr ruhig und sachlich argumentiert.
In the debate, she argued very calmly and objectively.
The verb 'argumentieren' (to argue) is closely related to the noun 'das Argument' (the argument). The ending '-ieren' is typical of verbs derived from foreign words.
Um zu überzeugen, musst du gut argumentieren können.
To convince people, you have to be able to argue well.
'Argumentieren' (to argue) is often used with the prepositions 'für' (for) or 'gegen' (against), followed by the accusative, to indicate the direction of the argument.
Die Opposition argumentierte gegen den neuen Gesetzesentwurf.
The opposition argued against the new bill.
To describe the quality of the argumentation, the verb is often combined with adverbs such as 'logisch' (logically), 'sachlich' (objectively), 'überzeugend' (convincingly), or 'schlüssig' (coherently).
Wenn du überzeugend argumentierst, werden dir die Leute eher zustimmen.
If you argue convincingly, people will be more likely to agree with you.
to claim / assert
'behaupten' and 'argumentieren' both have to do with statements and opinions. The difference lies in the reasons: someone who 'behauptet' something says that something is true, often without proving it. Someone who 'argumentiert' gives reasons or evidence in order to explain an opinion or convince others. Learners may confuse the words because both occur in discussions. Remember: 'behaupten' is more about the statement itself, while 'argumentieren' is about giving reasons for the statement.
Im Gespräch argumentiert sie ruhig und nennt mehrere Beispiele.
In the conversation, she argues calmly and gives several examples.
Er behauptet, dass der Brief nie angekommen ist.
He claims that the letter never arrived.