What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
arguing
Example
They were arguing about which movie to watch. [arguing: verb]
Example
The politicians were engaged in a heated argument over the proposed policy. [argument: noun]
quarreling
Example
The siblings were quarreling over who gets to use the computer first. [quarreling: verb]
Example
Their quarrel escalated into a full-blown shouting match. [quarrel: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Arguing is more commonly used than quarreling in everyday language. Arguing is a versatile term that covers a wide range of contexts, while quarreling is less common and carries a stronger connotation of intense conflict.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between arguing and quarreling?
Both arguing and quarreling can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, arguing is generally associated with a more formal and structured tone, while quarreling is often used in informal or colloquial settings to emphasize the emotional and confrontational nature of the disagreement.