weight

[Allen165]

What does "to weight the arguments" mean? To assess the value/importance of the arguments?

Thanks!

 

[Barb_D]

Yes, evaluate them.

 

[esltutor]

Yes, evaluate them. But the correct way to say the expression (at least in my part of the world) is "weigh the arguments" instead of "weight..."

Best,
Debra
Teaching ESL to Adults

 

[SoothingDave]

"Weigh" is the normal phrase meaning to evaluate, but things can be "weighted" as well. As in a weighted average. This is to assign higher priorities (weights) to different factors in a decision/calculation.

 

[Barb_D]

Sorry, I didn't notice that.

 

[Allen165]

"Weigh" is the normal phrase meaning to evaluate, but things can be "weighted" as well. As in a weighted average. This is to assign higher priorities (weights) to different factors in a decision/calculation.

So "to weight certain arguments" would mean to give them more importance than some other arguments?

weigh arguments = evaluate/assess arguments

weight arguments = give priority/importance to arguments

 

[5jj]

So "to weight certain arguments" would mean to give them more importance than some other arguments?

weigh arguments = evaluate/assess arguments

weight arguments = give priority/importance to arguments

In theory, yes. I don't think we would actually weight arguments in practice, possibly because it might sound as if we had chosen the word mistakenly.