Critics argue that

You’ll almost always find this phrase at the beginning of a sentence or a new paragraph. It acts as a transition. You first state a popular opinion or a new fact, then you drop this phrase to pivot to the other side. For example: "The new city park is beautiful. However, critics argue that the money could have been spent on fixing the roads." Notice how it follows a very specific structure: [The Phrase] + [The Opinion]. You don't need a comma after that, but you do need a full clause (a subject and a verb). It’s like a bridge connecting the 'Pro' side of an argument to the 'Con' side. If you use it mid-sentence, you might need a semicolon before it, like: "The app is very fast; however, critics argue that it compromises user privacy."

This is a heavy hitter in the world of formal English. You won't hear people saying this at a casual BBQ unless they’re trying to be funny or sarcastic. It belongs in the C2 level because it requires a nuanced understanding of rhetoric. You’ll see it in academic journals, high-end newspapers like The Guardian or The New York Times, and in professional business reports. If you're writing a formal essay, this phrase is your best friend. It makes you sound like an expert who sees the 'big picture.' In a professional Zoom meeting, using it can make your feedback sound less like a personal attack and more like a professional observation. It’s the ultimate 'it’s not me, it’s the data' move. Just don't use it to tell your partner that critics argue that the dishes should have been done an hour ago—that’s a recipe for a lonely dinner.

You can find this phrase everywhere if you look closely at high-quality content. On Netflix, watch any documentary about social issues; the narrator will inevitably use it to present the opposition. On Twitter (or X), people who want to sound more authoritative will use it in long threads to dismantle an argument. Even in tech reviews, like on Verge or CNET, you’ll read things like: "The new iPhone battery lasts two days, but critics argue that the charging speed is still too slow compared to competitors." It’s a staple of the 'Yes, but...' conversational style. In job interviews, you might even use it to show you understand industry challenges: "The industry is moving toward automation, but critics argue that we still need human oversight for ethical decisions."

Use this when you want to sound objective and fair. It’s perfect for those moments when you need to bring up a negative point without sounding like a 'hater.' It’s great for business presentations where you need to address potential risks or objections from stakeholders. If you're a student, use it in your thesis to show you've considered multiple perspectives. It’s also very useful in debates or when you're writing a blog post about a controversial topic. It gives you 'plausible deniability'—you aren't saying the product is bad; you're just reporting what the 'critics' are saying. It’s the verbal equivalent of a neutral-colored blazer: professional, safe, and fits almost any serious occasion.

Avoid this phrase in casual, emotional settings. If a friend tells you they just got a new dog, don't say, "Critics argue that Golden Retrievers shed too much." You’ll sound like a robot, and your friend will probably stop inviting you to things. Also, don't use it if you don't actually have a counter-argument to follow it with. It’s a setup phrase, so if you don't deliver the 'punchline' (the actual criticism), it falls flat. Finally, don't use it if the 'critics' are just you. If you're the only one who hates the new office coffee, saying Critics argue that is a bit dishonest—it’s just you, Karen. Own your coffee hate!

One of the biggest blunders is confusing the noun and the verb. People sometimes say ✗ "Critic argue that" (missing the 's') or ✗ "Critics argues that" (adding an 's' where it doesn't belong). Remember: Critics (plural) argue (plural verb). Another classic is ✗ "Critics argue about that..." You don't need the 'about.' Just go straight to the point. Some learners also try to use it for positive things, like ✗ "Critics argue that this movie is the best ever." Usually, we use 'praise' or 'laud' for positive stuff. Critics argue almost always introduces a challenge or a problem. It's a 'negative-leaning' neutral phrase. Don't be the person who tries to use a hammer to screw in a lightbulb.

If you want to spice things up, you can swap out Critics or argue. For a slightly more academic feel, try Detractors suggest that or Opponents contend that. If you're talking about a specific field, be specific: Economists argue that or Legal experts argue that. If you want something a bit softer, you can say Some observers note that. On the flip side, if the criticism is really strong, you might see Critics charge that, which sounds like a legal accusation. In British English, you might hear Critics maintain that. All of these do roughly the same job, but they change the 'temperature' of the argument. It’s like choosing between different filters on Instagram—some are sharper, some are softer, but the subject remains the same.

Is it always negative? Mostly, yes. While 'to argue' just means to present a case, in this specific phrase, it’s almost always used to introduce a problem or a counter-point. Can I use it for my own opinion? Technically, you can use it to hide your opinion, but if someone asks "Who are these critics?" you'd better have an answer! Is it only for writing? Not at all. It’s very common in formal speech, news broadcasts, and professional meetings. Is it the same as 'Some say'? It’s the fancy, expensive version of 'Some say.' While 'Some say' is casual and vague, Critics argue suggests there is a logical, perhaps even expert, basis for the disagreement. Use it when you want to impress your boss or your professor.