Question

Deleted user
7 Jan 2016
Question about English (US)
"Argue" Can it only be used to refer to "discuss" or "fight"? Can it not be used to refer to "explain".
What I mean is, in Spanish "argumentar" means to give or to defend your opinion against the other's opinion without being rude or impolite. Actually, it means to explain in a very polite way.
But I've seen that in English they usually use it to mean that they're "fighting".
If I say, "If you can argue your reason to go out, I will let you go" or "If you can give me a very good argument, I will let you go", would it sound weird?
"Argue" Can it only be used to refer to "discuss" or "fight"? Can it not be used to refer to "explain".
What I mean is, in Spanish "argumentar" means to give or to defend your opinion against the other's opinion without being rude or impolite. Actually, it means to explain in a very polite way.
But I've seen that in English they usually use it to mean that they're "fighting".
If I say, "If you can argue your reason to go out, I will let you go" or "If you can give me a very good argument, I will let you go", would it sound weird?
What I mean is, in Spanish "argumentar" means to give or to defend your opinion against the other's opinion without being rude or impolite. Actually, it means to explain in a very polite way.
But I've seen that in English they usually use it to mean that they're "fighting".
If I say, "If you can argue your reason to go out, I will let you go" or "If you can give me a very good argument, I will let you go", would it sound weird?
Answers
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- English (US)
You can use the word argue or arguments like that, but it sounds a little stiff and formal, so I wouldn't expect it to be used in a familial setting
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- English (US)
Yeah, if you said those last sentences, you would be understood, but you would sound like a lawyer ;-)
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Deleted user
That's what I expected, thanks for solve my doubt!
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