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main argument

main argument

5 2.9
The most important point someone makes in a discussion or essay
  • noun
translation icon : argumento principal
  • In her essay, the author clearly states her main argument: that education is a fundamental right.
  • one of the main arguments
  • two main arguments

The difference is that he's not really being concerned with in this particular essay in in its main argument.

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Examples

  • The article's main argument is that Iran is definitely moving towards having the nuclear bomb, and the only question is when.

    Academic text (2009)
  • European history has been the laboratory from which IR theories have derived their main arguments.

    Academic text (2003)
  • With this, I turn now to my main argument.

    Academic text (2017)
  • A main argument was that a public plan would save people money, the New York Times has noted.

    Academic text (2010)
  • I think the main argument is what you actually purchase when you buy a book.

    Blog text (28)
  • In fact, this incentive effect is one of the main arguments for the future importance of the alliance.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Movement activists make two main arguments for increasing the availability of these policies.

    Academic text (2005)
  • There are four main arguments for investment in ECCD.

    Academic text (2001)
  • We outline four main arguments upon which the claim is built and provide counterarguments.

    Blog text (21)
  • But I think the main argument against a functionalist view of consciousness is that the nature of consciousness looks to be something more biological.

Synonyms

argument
vsmain argument
2.5

A set of reasons people give to show something is true

is the single most important asserted claim within that whole reasoning
gist
vsmain argument
46 4.6

The main point of what someone says or writes

is the main explicit claim rather than a brief summary of it
contention
vsmain argument
44 6.0

A claim someone makes to support an opinion

is the main asserted claim that serves as the chief point
key point
vsmain argument
43 3.1

A main idea in a talk or report

is the main asserted claim rather than any important supporting idea
crux
vsmain argument
34 7.5

The main point that decides what matters most in an issue

is the main overall assertion rather than stressing decisive effect
focal point
vsmain argument
30 3.7

The main person, thing, or idea that gets most attention

is the asserted central claim rather than the most noticed element
the heart of the matter
vsmain argument
13 3.9

The most important part of a problem or discussion

is the main asserted claim rather than the broader central concern
nub
vsmain argument
6 6.7

The main point people argue about in a discussion

focuses specifically on the asserted claim rather than the general core
crux of the matter
vsmain argument
4 5.6

The most important part of a problem or discussion

is the main overall assertion rather than only the decisive centre
thrust of the argument
vsmain argument
1 5.6

The main point someone makes in a discussion

is the single asserted claim rather than the overall line of reasoning
nub of the argument
vsmain argument
7.0

The most important point people discuss in a disagreement

is the declared main assertion rather than simply the central idea
pith of the argument
vsmain argument
  • Formal
7.5

The main point of a discussion or argument

is the stated main claim rather than the distilled essence alone
home thrust
vsmain argument
9.4

The main point of an argument said in a strong way

is the asserted key claim but not necessarily forceful in tone
thread of an argument
vsmain argument
4.1

The main idea that connects the points someone makes

is a specific asserted claim rather than the continuous reasoning thread

Antonyms

11 6.8

A small complaint about unimportant details used to avoid the main point

5 4.1

A less important topic that distracts from the main subject

How Important

main argument
5 2.9
core
468 3.2
argument
2.5
to support
572 2.1
minor detail
6 3.2

Surface Forms

main argument singular

Morphology

main + argument

The meaning 'the most important point or assertion' is directly compositional from 'main' (chief, primary) + 'argument' (a set of reasons), so a learner who knows both words can infer the combined sense. This head-modifier pattern is common in English and many other languages, making the phrase immediately understandable to B1 learners.

Etymology

The phrase main argument uses main to mean the most important and argument to mean the reason or point someone gives. So, a main argument is the single strongest 'point' or 'reason' in a talk, essay, or debate.