Arguably

How it is used

A compact way to make a strong but hedged claim, often with superlatives: arguably the most influential, arguably the best. It softens the claim while still showing your position. Overusing it can make writing sound unsure.

Example sentences

1. Piaget is arguably the most influential figure in the history of developmental psychology.

2. This is arguably the main weakness of the model.

Common collocations

• arguably the most
• arguably the best
• is arguably
• arguably more important

Related terms

• hedgingUsing cautious language, such as may, might, appear to or suggest, so that a claim is only as strong as the evidence allows.
• it could be argued thatA cautious, impersonal way to introduce a point or interpretation without presenting it as a fixed personal opinion.
• stanceA writer's position or attitude toward a topic or claim, shown through word choice, use of evidence and how strongly ideas are expressed.
• claimA statement that something is true, which may or may not yet be supported by enough evidence.

More terms: Argument and Hedging

• argument
• evidence
• argue
• suggest
• to some extent
• counterargument
• acknowledge
• tentative
• plausible
• tend to
• it is worth noting that
• assert