Arguement or argument: Which is correct?

✅ Argument

Correct. Drop the ‘e’ before adding the suffix.

❌ Arguement

Incorrect. A common misspelling to avoid.

Writing in English often feels like navigating a minefield of exceptions, and the word argument is one of the trickiest obstacles. If you have ever stared at your screen wondering where that silent “e” went, you are not alone. The correct spelling is always argument without the “e” after the “u”. While it might seem logical to keep the “e” from the root word argue, this specific word breaks the standard pattern.

Why Is “Arguement” Incorrect?

To understand why we delete the letter, we have to look at how English suffixes generally work. Usually, when you add a suffix that starts with a consonant (like -ment, -ful, or -ly) to a word ending in a silent “e”, you keep the “e”.

Think about words like statement (state + ment) or management (manage + ment). In those cases, the vowel stays put. This consistency is exactly why arguement looks right to so many people. However, argument is a major exception to this rule.

Linguists and dictionaries agree: when turning argue into a noun, the “e” must go. This puts it in a small club of rule-breakers alongside truly (true + ly) and judgment (judge + ment).

Root Word	Suffix	Standard Rule?	Correct Spelling
Manage	-ment	Yes (Keep ‘e’)	Management
Achieve	-ment	Yes (Keep ‘e’)	Achievement
Argue	-ment	No (Drop ‘e’)	Argument

Examples Of Correct Usage

Seeing the word in action helps cement the correct spelling in your memory. Notice how in every single instance below, the u is immediately followed by m.

The lawyer presented a compelling argument to the jury.
We got into a silly argument about which movie to watch.
His main argument was that the data was outdated.

How To Remember The Difference

Since your brain naturally wants to follow the standard grammar rule, using a mnemonic device can be a lifesaver. Here is a simple way to recall the proper form:

“I lost an ‘e’ in that argument.”

Or, you can simply remind yourself that there is no room for an “e” between you (u) and me (m) when we are having an argument.

Does “Arguement” Exist In Archaic English?

Sometimes, spelling confusion comes from older texts. Is it possible you saw arguement in a very old book? Perhaps. Before standard dictionary rules were solidified in the 18th and 19th centuries, spelling was much more fluid. However, in modern English—whether you are in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, or Australia—the version with the “e” is considered an error.

Spellcheckers in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and browser extensions will immediately flag arguement as a mistake. Trust the red underline in this case.