Cool MateArgument vs Quarrel
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Argument
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Quarrel
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Argument
| Argument | Quarrel | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɑːɡjumənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɑːrɡjumənt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈkwɒr.əl//🇺🇸 //ˈkwɔːr.əl// |
| Meaning | A discussion where people disagree, often loudly. | A loud argument or fight. |
| Example | They had an argument about what to have for dinner. | They had a loud quarrel in the middle of the street. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | bitter, heated, violent, become involved in, get into, get involved in, arise, break out, develop, argument about, argument between, argument over, brook no argument, basic, general, central, advance, deploy, make, be based on something, depend on something, rely on something, argument against, argument concerning, argument for, all sides of an argument, both sides of an argument, a flaw in the argument, bitter, heated, violent, become involved in, get into, get involved in, arise, break out, develop, argument about, argument between, argument over, brook no argument | have a quarrel, squabble and quarrel, quarrel with someone |
| Antonyms | agreement, harmony, concord | agreement, harmony, accord |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'debate' which is more structured., Using 'argument' when referring to a point, instead of 'claim'., Mispronouncing it as 'arguement' (extra 'e' is incorrect). | Confusing 'quarrel' with 'argument' when they have slightly different connotations., Using 'quarrel' only as a noun, forgetting it can also be a verb., Overusing in formal contexts where 'disagreement' or 'discussion' might fit better. |
| Usage notes | Used in both casual and formal contexts, but can imply a heated disagreement. Avoid in very formal settings unless discussing conflicts academically. | Used to describe a disagreement that may become heated. More common in spoken English than in formal written contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Argument vs Quarrel
What's the difference between Argument and Quarrel?
Argument: A discussion where people disagree, often loudly. Quarrel: A loud argument or fight.
Which is more common: Argument and Quarrel?
Argument is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Argument: They had an argument about what to have for dinner. Quarrel: They had a loud quarrel in the middle of the street.
Can I use Argument and Quarrel interchangeably?
Not always. Argument and Quarrel are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.