for "arguably"
Sometimes a troper just isn't sure of whether or not a work uses a certain trope. They're positive that the work contains something worth mentioning, but just aren't sure whether or not it counts as an example of the trope. Or maybe they have an example from their favorite show that doesn't quite fit the trope, but is close to it and they want to add it as an example anyway. The result is usually something like this:
- Arguably, "Work A" uses "Trope B" when...
- "Character C" is a possible example of this because...
- To some, "Work D" is an example of "Trope E"...
- Your Mileage May Vary, but "Character F" could be considered an example...
When writing an example, don't precede it with words like "arguably", "possibly", or "to some". This is an example of Weasel Words, and although we are more tolerant of such than That Other Wiki , in this case it weakens the foundation of the example by making it subjective. It is true that there may be disagreement between two or more tropers over whether or not a work uses a certain trope. That's fine. Misunderstandings happen. However, disputes about trope examples should be restricted to the discussion page or private messages, not the main article.
Two strong signs that this is occurring are (a) when someone sinkholes some text to the "Your Mileage May Vary" page, as a passive indicator that the trope depends heavily on opinion, and (b) when an objective trope is in the YMMV page. For the former, the main YMMV page is an index, not a trope, and should therefore not be potholed to. For the latter, remember that only YMMV items go on the YMMV page. If you truly think your example relies heavily on opinion, try looking for a subjective equivalent of your trope. If you can't do that, it's best to leave it off the pages and ask other tropers.
Also, please don't add unnecessary subjectivity to objective tropes about characters by inserting examples that might apply to some viewers of a show or players of a game but don't appear within the work itself.
If you truly believe that your example fits the trope, then list it. If it's Not an Example, then don't. If you aren't sure, ask about it in the discussion page or this forum thread. If you have an example but aren't sure what trope it's an example of, ask on Trope Finder. If the item in question has a "YMMV" banner on its article, it belongs on the YMMV page. If "some people" have argued that a work is an example, chances are those people have no idea of how this wiki's definition of the trope differs from theirs.
For other words and phrases that should be avoided when writing examples, see Word Cruft.
