Which statement accurately describes the relationship between statements and arguments?

• A. Statements Can Be True or False; Arguments Can Be Valid or Invalid
• B. Statements Can Be Valid; Arguments Can Be True
• C. Statements Can Be True; Arguments Can Be Proven
• D. Statements Can Be False; Arguments Can Be Deductive

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that statements carry truth values, while arguments are judged by their logical form. A statement can be true or false. An argument is a sequence of statements meant to support a conclusion, and we assess it by validity: a valid argument is one where, if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true. This focus on the relationship between premises and conclusion, rather than the actual truth of the premises, is why we say arguments can be valid or invalid. Because statements have truth values and arguments have validity, the best description is that statements can be true or false while arguments can be valid or invalid. The other choices mix up these roles or use unclear terms like “proven” or “deductive” in a way that doesn’t capture the standard distinction.