What Does โArgue sb out of doing sthโ Mean?
โArgue sb out of doing sthโ means to convince someone not to do something by giving reasons or explanations.
Introduction
The phrase โargue sb out of doing sthโ is a useful English expression that means persuading someone to change their mind and avoid doing a particular action. It is often used when you want to stop someone from making a decision by explaining why it might not be a good idea. Understanding the argue sb out of doing sth meaning helps learners communicate more naturally, especially in situations where advice or warnings are involved. This phrasal verb is common in both spoken and written English and can add clarity and politeness when discussing opinions or decisions.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal Verb: argue somebody out of doing something
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short Meaning: persuade someone not to do an action
Structure (Grammar Rules)
This phrasal verb is separable. The object (somebody) comes between โargueโ and โout of.โ The verb โargueโ is followed by the person you are persuading, then โout of,โ and finally the action (doing something).
Pattern: argue + somebody + out of + doing something
Example: I argued her out of quitting her job.
How to Use โArgue sb out of doing sthโ?
Use this phrase when you want to describe persuading someone not to do a particular action. It usually involves giving reasons or discussing the possible negative consequences. It is often used in everyday conversations, advice, or warnings.
You can use it in past, present, or future tenses depending on the situation:
- Past: I argued him out of buying the expensive phone.
- Present: She argues her friends out of making bad decisions.
- Future: They will argue you out of going there alone.
Examples
- He argued me out of investing in that risky business.
- She tried to argue her brother out of dropping out of school.
- We argued them out of traveling during the storm.
- My parents argued me out of moving to another city.
- Can you argue him out of quitting the team?
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: I argued out of him doing the project.
- Correct: I argued him out of doing the project.
- Incorrect: She argued me to not go there.
- Correct: She argued me out of going there.
Differences / Synonyms
Argue sb out of doing sth is similar to persuade sb not to do sth. However, โargueโ emphasizes giving reasons or logical explanations, while โpersuadeโ can include emotional appeals.
Other similar phrases:
- Talk sb out of doing sth: more informal, casual conversation to stop someone.
- Dissuade sb from doing sth: formal and often written, meaning to advise against.
Example comparison:
- I argued him out of quitting because it was not the best choice.
- I talked him out of quitting by reminding him of his goals.
- The teacher dissuaded the students from cheating on the exam.
Common Collocations
- argue somebody out of doing something risky
- argue somebody out of making a mistake
- argue somebody out of buying something expensive
- argue somebody out of quitting
- argue somebody out of going somewhere
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of argue sb out of doing sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: I think I should quit my job and travel the world.
Ben: I understand, but can I argue you out of doing that right now? Maybe wait until you save more money.
Anna: That makes sense. I donโt want to run out of funds while traveling.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the phrase:
She _______ her friend _______ going to the dangerous area.
- a) argued / out of
- b) argued out / of
- c) argued out of /
- d) argued her out of
Answer: d) argued her out of
FAQs
- Q: Can I use โargue sb out of doing sthโ in formal writing?
A: Yes, but it is more common in spoken English and informal writing. - Q: Is โargue sb out of doing sthโ the same as โpersuade sb not to do sthโ?
A: They are similar, but โargueโ focuses on giving reasons. - Q: Can I use this phrase with any subject?
A: Yes, as long as you are persuading someone not to do something. - Q: What is the correct word order?
A: Argue + somebody + out of + doing something. - Q: Is the phrase separable?
A: Yes, the object (somebody) goes between โargueโ and โout of.โ
