What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
squabbled
Example
The siblings squabbled over who got to sit in the front seat. [squabbled: past tense]
Example
The coworkers squabbled over the last donut in the break room. [squabbling: present participle]
argue
Example
The lawyers argued their case in front of the judge. [argued: past tense]
Example
The couple argued about whether to have children or not. [arguing: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Argue is more commonly used than squabble in everyday language. Argue is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while squabble is less common and refers to minor disagreements over trivial matters.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between squabbled and argue?
While squabble is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, argue can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
