have an argument
يتجادل
Wörtlich: to possess a verbal dispute
Use 'have an argument' for emotional disagreements, but keep it for personal or informal contexts.
In 15 Sekunden
- A verbal disagreement involving strong emotions or raised voices.
- Used with 'with' to identify the person you are fighting.
- Common in personal relationships and informal storytelling.
Bedeutung
This phrase describes a situation where two or more people disagree strongly and often loudly. It is more intense than a simple discussion and usually involves some heated emotions.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Talking about a roommate
I had a silly argument with my roommate about the dishes.
I had a silly argument with my roommate about the dishes.
Explaining a delay at work
The meeting took longer because the managers had a brief argument.
The meeting took longer because the managers had a brief argument.
Texting a friend about a partner
Ugh, Mark and I had an argument again last night.
Ugh, Mark and I had an argument again last night.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Western cultures, 'having an argument' is often viewed as a necessary part of a relationship's 'growing pains.' It reflects an individualistic value where expressing one's own opinion is prioritized over maintaining a false sense of harmony. Interestingly, the phrase 'let's not have an argument' is a common British polite way to shut down a sensitive topic before it gets heated.
Softening the blow
If you want to make the fight sound less serious, add the word 'bit'. Say: 'We had a bit of an argument.'
Don't 'make' it
In daily life, don't say 'I made an argument with him.' That sounds like you are writing an essay!
In 15 Sekunden
- A verbal disagreement involving strong emotions or raised voices.
- Used with 'with' to identify the person you are fighting.
- Common in personal relationships and informal storytelling.
What It Means
Have an argument is the standard way to say people are fighting with words. It is not just a small disagreement. It usually means there is some tension or anger involved. Think of it as a verbal clash. You might raise your voice or feel frustrated. It is a very common part of human relationships.
How To Use It
You use the verb have followed by the noun argument. You can use it with with to show who you are fighting with. For example, I had an argument with my brother. You can also add adjectives to show the intensity. A heated argument is very angry. A silly argument is about something unimportant, like who forgot to buy milk.
When To Use It
Use this in everyday life when talking about conflict. It works perfectly for family drama or roommate issues. You can use it at work if things get unprofessional. It is great for storytelling. We had a massive argument last night sounds very natural. It helps people understand the emotional weight of the situation.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for a polite debate. If you are just sharing different opinions, use discuss or disagree. Avoid using it for physical fights. That would be get into a fight. Also, do not use it for legal cases. In a courtroom, lawyers make an argument rather than have one. Using it there might sound like the lawyer is just shouting!
Cultural Background
In many English-speaking cultures, having an argument is seen as healthy sometimes. It means you are being honest about your feelings. However, doing it in public is often considered awkward. People usually prefer to have it out behind closed doors. There is a common joke that couples who never have an argument are actually hiding something!
Common Variations
You will often hear get into an argument. This implies the fight started suddenly. You might also hear pick an argument. This is when someone is looking for a reason to fight. If the argument is very small, we call it a spat or a tiff. These sound much less serious and almost cute.
Nutzungshinweise
This is a neutral-register collocation. It is safe to use with friends, family, and colleagues, but avoid it in formal legal writing where 'dispute' is preferred.
Softening the blow
If you want to make the fight sound less serious, add the word 'bit'. Say: 'We had a bit of an argument.'
Don't 'make' it
In daily life, don't say 'I made an argument with him.' That sounds like you are writing an essay!
The 'Agree to Disagree' exit
If an argument is going nowhere, English speakers often say 'Let's agree to disagree' to end it politely.
Beispiele
6I had a silly argument with my roommate about the dishes.
I had a silly argument with my roommate about the dishes.
Uses 'silly' to show the topic wasn't serious.
The meeting took longer because the managers had a brief argument.
The meeting took longer because the managers had a brief argument.
Neutral tone suitable for a professional setting.
Ugh, Mark and I had an argument again last night.
Ugh, Mark and I had an argument again last night.
Shows ongoing conflict in a relationship.
I tried to have an argument with my cat, but she just walked away.
I tried to have an argument with my cat, but she just walked away.
Personifies the pet for a funny effect.
They haven't spoken since they had that big argument in June.
They haven't spoken since they had that big argument in June.
Shows the long-term consequence of a fight.
I don't want to have an argument right now; let's talk later.
I don't want to have an argument right now; let's talk later.
A polite way to avoid a conflict.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct preposition to complete the phrase.
I don't like to have an argument ___ my parents.
We always use 'with' to indicate the person we are disagreeing with.
Which adjective makes the argument sound very intense?
They had a ___ argument in the middle of the street.
'Heated' is the most common adjective to describe a passionate, angry argument.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality of 'Have an Argument'
Talking to friends about a tiff.
We had a bit of a barney.
Standard everyday usage.
We had an argument.
Professional or academic context.
There was a significant disagreement.
Where you might 'Have an Argument'
At Home
Fighting over the TV remote.
In Traffic
Shouting at another driver.
At the Office
Disagreeing on a project deadline.
In a Restaurant
Complaining about the bill.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenMostly yes, but 'fight' can be physical. 'Have an argument' is strictly verbal and usually more specific to a single topic.
Yes, it is neutral enough for work. However, if you want to sound more professional, you might say we had a disagreement instead.
It means the argument was very angry and intense. People were likely shouting or very upset, like They had a heated argument over the budget.
You can, but it might sound too strong. For small things, use we had a minor disagreement or we had a tiff.
It is always with someone. You have an argument with your boss, not to your boss.
Arguing is the action/verb, while having an argument is the event/noun. They are often interchangeable, but the latter sounds more like a specific incident.
The phrase itself isn't rude, but the act of having one can be! It is a factual way to describe a conflict.
Technically no, an argument requires two people. You would say I was conflicted or I had an internal struggle.
It is a fight about something that doesn't matter at all. For example, We had a pointless argument about the color of the sky.
You can say Let's drop it or I don't want to argue anymore. This signals you want the conflict to stop.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Get into a row
A British expression for having a loud, noisy argument.
Lock horns
To be in a strong conflict or competition with someone.
Have a tiff
To have a small, unimportant argument with a partner or friend.
Fall out with
To stop being friends with someone after an argument.
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