Word choice · C1
Argue, claim, concede, refute, imply
A reporting verb tells the reader how much you believe the source. Argue and contend are neutral about strength but signal a position. Claim quietly withholds agreement. Demonstrate concedes that the evidence is good. Concede and acknowledge admit a point that costs the author something. Choosing the verb is how academic writing takes a position without ever saying "I think".
Which word, and why
- argue
puts a position with reasons — neutral
To state a view and support it with reasoning.
argues that · convincingly argues
- claim
states it without proof — the writer stands back
To state something as true when the evidence is not established.
claims that · the disputed claim
- assert
states it firmly, without support
To state something confidently but without evidence.
asserts that · a bare assertion
- contendformal
argues against an opposing view
To argue a position in the face of disagreement.
contends that · it is contended
- maintain
goes on saying it after being challenged
To continue to state a position despite objections.
maintains that · still maintains
- concede
admits a point that costs the author something
To admit that part of the opposing case is right.
concedes that · readily concedes
- acknowledge
accepts a fact, without giving up the argument
To accept that something is true or exists.
acknowledges that · widely acknowledged
- positformal
proposes it as a starting assumption
To put something forward as a basis for reasoning.
posits that · the model posits
- suggest
tentative — leaves room to be wrong
To indicate something without stating it as established.
the data suggest · this suggests that
- demonstrate
proves it with evidence
To show something to be true beyond reasonable doubt.
demonstrates that · clearly demonstrated
- imply
means it without saying it
To communicate something indirectly.
implies that · strongly implied
- refute
disproves it with evidence
To prove a statement or a theory wrong.
refutes the claim · comprehensively refuted
- dismiss
rejects it without engaging
To reject something as not worth serious consideration.
dismisses the objection · dismissed out of hand
- note
mentions it briefly and neutrally
To observe something in passing.
notes that · as the author notes
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Smith that the data were falsified, but offers no evidence at all.