Presenting and supporting arguments (B2 Vocabulary)
In a debate or essay you frame a position as a claim open to reasoning, not as flat fact. These three formal phrases run from tentative to confident: One could argue that… (weakest, one possible line of reasoning, useful for a view you may push back on later) → It can be argued that… (a defensible position, kept impersonal by the passive) → There is a strong case that… (strongest, use it only when your support is genuinely firm). Pick by how much backing you actually have.
Putting a claim on the table
it can be argued that /ɪt kən bi ˈɑrɡjud ðæt/ — It can be argued that free education does more to reduce poverty than any single policy.
one could argue that /wʌn kʊd ˈɑrɡju ðæt/ — One could argue that technology has made us more connected but less patient.
there is a strong case that /ðɛr ɪz ə strɔŋ keɪs ðæt/ — There is a strong case that later school start times improve attendance.
Not ""It can be said that education reduces poverty." (just states it; no sense of a claim being made)" — say ""It can be argued that education reduces poverty." (frames it as a defensible position)". For a claim you intend to defend, use it can be argued that, not "it can be said that". Argued signals a position you are prepared to back up.
Try it: Priya: We need a clear position to open the debate with. Diego: Then let's start strong: ___ remote work widens access to good jobs. Which reply frames the opening as a claim to be defended, not a plain statement? (it can be argued that / it can be said that / it is well known that) Answer: it can be argued that — "It can be argued that" presents the point as a position they're ready to defend, which is what an opening claim needs. "It can be said that" just states it without signalling a debatable stance, and "it is well known that" treats it as settled common knowledge rather than something to argue for.
Backing the claim with evidence
A claim is only as strong as what backs it, and these three formal phrases differ by how confident they are. The evidence suggests that… is the most cautious — it hints at a conclusion without asserting it, good for a modest or mixed finding. Further evidence indicates… sits in the middle: to indicate is to point clearly toward a conclusion, and further signals this is extra support stacked on a point you already made. The evidence clearly supports… is the strongest — the data firmly backs the claim, so save it for a decisive case. Watch the agreement: evidence is uncountable, so it takes supports, suggests, and indicates, never "support", "suggest", or "indicate".
the evidence suggests that /ðə ˈɛvɪdəns səˈdʒɛsts ðæt/ — The evidence suggests that smaller classes raise attainment, though the effect is modest.
the evidence clearly supports /ðə ˈɛvɪdəns ˈklɪrli səˈpɔrts/ — The evidence clearly supports the claim that early screening saves lives.
further evidence indicates /ˈfɜrðər ˈɛvɪdəns ˈɪndəˌkeɪts/ — Further evidence indicates that the trend held even during the downturn.
Not ""The evidence clearly support this conclusion." (wrong agreement)" — say ""The evidence clearly supports this conclusion." (uncountable subject takes a singular verb)". Evidence is uncountable, so the verb is singular: supports, suggests, indicates. Never "evidence support".
Try it: Nadia: The results are strong, but I don't want to overstate them. Owen: Then hedge it a little: ___ the program lowers dropout rates. Which reply reports the finding carefully rather than as a certainty? (the evidence suggests that / the evidence proves that / the evidence support that) Answer: the evidence suggests that — "The evidence suggests that" reports the finding with the caution Nadia asked for. "The evidence proves that" overstates it, which is exactly what they want to avoid, and "the evidence support that" breaks agreement, since uncountable "evidence" needs the singular "supports".
Try it: Sofia: Every study we found points the same way, and the numbers are large. Marcus: Good. So we can say ___ vaccination reduced infections here. The evidence here is decisive. Which reply pitches the confidence to match it? (the evidence clearly supports / the evidence suggests that / one could argue that) Answer: the evidence clearly supports — "The evidence clearly supports" is the strongest of the three, which is what every study pointing the same way earns. "The evidence suggests that" is the cautious option and would undersell decisive data, and "one could argue that" softens it further into one opinion among many.