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CoreMath Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Argue

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution#Freedom_of_speech

"The leading critics of the law, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, argued for the Acts' unconstitutionality based on the First Amendment, among other Constitutional provisions."

Does "argue for" mean "advocate", like:

"They argued for high salaries."
"They argued for adoption of new rules."
  

Top answer

CoreMath Does "argue for" mean "advocate", like: Yes, although the phrasing could be considered pretty sloppy (it is Wikipedia, after all). "

— MalRey

  • CoreMath Does "argue for" mean "advocate", like: Yes, although the phrasing could be considered pretty sloppy (it is Wikipedia, after all).
  • "
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4 Answers
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CoreMathDoes "argue for" mean "advocate", like:
Yes, although the phrasing could be considered pretty sloppy (it is Wikipedia, after all). It would be better and less potentially confusing to say, "...argued that the Acts were unconstitutional..."
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CoreMathDoes "argue for" mean "advocate",
Advocate is a bit different from "argue for."
For example, a lawyer argues for the innocence of his client, even though he might personally believe that his client is guilty.
An advocate believes in what he is arguing for.
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So, Jefferson and Madison supported something that's unconstitutional?
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CoreMathSo, Jefferson and Madison supported something that's unconstitutional?
No, they were critical of "Sedition Act" passed in 1798, arguing that it was counter to the 1st and 10th amendments of the constitution. This act made it a crime to publish "false, scandalous, and malicious writing" against the government or certain officials.
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