Against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Against" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate opposition or resistance to something, or to describe a situation where two entities are in conflict. Example: "The team played valiantly against their rivals in the championship game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was one of the most gentle and unflappable politicians I have ever known, yet he was immensely courageous, too, not least when he spoke for the country against the invasion of Iraq".

The Guardian

At this point, he's up against nearly the whole Palin tribe: Palin women screaming.

The Guardian

Herne was set up in October 2011 to look into allegations made against the Met's Special Demonstration Squad (SDS), including using dead children's identities and engaging in inappropriate sexual relationships.

The Guardian

My cheek nestled against the scratch of paper.

The Guardian - Books

He is appealing against the verdict.

The Guardian

It is not just when settler violence against Palestinians goes unpunished.

The New York Times

Against whom?

The New York Times - Sports

Don't bet against it.

The Guardian

Sevilla scored three and, for the first time in history, two penalties were given against Madrid at home, but still the visitors lost by four.

The Guardian - Sport

If the Conservatives' latest policy of a cut in national insurance was meant to give him a debating advantage against Vince Cable and Alistair Darling, the plan backfired in spectacular fashion.

The Guardian

"In my normal way, I probably would have said, 'I'll look into it.' " Costa said Obeid began to lobby him about AWH within a month of him becoming a minister and he had a conversation with Obeid in which Obeid suggested a corruption complaint may be made against Schott.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Against" to indicate physical contact, ensure the context clearly establishes the nature of the contact, such as pressure or support.

Common error

Avoid using "Against" in overly abstract contexts where a more precise preposition like "Regarding" or "Concerning" would be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "Against the topic of climate change…", use "Regarding the topic of climate change…".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Against" is to act as a preposition, indicating relationships of opposition, contact, or contrast between elements in a sentence. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing this versatile usage, from political opposition to physical contact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Against" is a versatile preposition with various applications, primarily denoting opposition, contact, or contrast. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and widely used. Its frequency is very common, with a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts such as news, business, and academic writing. When writing, ensure clarity by selecting "Against" only when it accurately conveys the intended relationship between elements. Consider alternatives like "in opposition to" or "versus" for nuanced expression. By adhering to these guidelines, you can effectively leverage "Against" to enhance your writing. Ludwig examples provide further insights into its real-world usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In opposition to

Emphasizes direct resistance or disagreement with a particular idea or action.

In contrast to

Highlights differences or dissimilarities between two or more things.

Versus

Often used in competitive contexts to denote opposing sides.

Opposing

Describes a position of antagonism or conflict.

In contact with

Indicates physical touching or closeness.

In defiance of

Implies a deliberate act of resistance or disobedience.

In anticipation of

Indicates preparation or expectation for a future event.

As a defence against

Highlights protective measures taken to mitigate potential harm.

As a safeguard against

Stresses measures taken to prevent undesirable outcomes.

Counter to

Suggests a contradictory or opposing viewpoint.

FAQs

How can "Against" be used in a sentence?

"Against" can be used to indicate opposition (e.g., "They fought "against the proposal""), physical contact (e.g., "The ladder leaned "against the wall""), or contrast (e.g., "His dark hair stood out "against the snow"").

What are some alternatives to using "Against"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "in opposition to", "versus", "opposing", or "contrary to".

When is it appropriate to use "Against" versus "Versus"?

"Against" is more broadly applicable for indicating opposition or contact, while "Versus" is typically reserved for formal comparisons or contests, especially in legal or sporting contexts.

Is it correct to say "I am against of" something?

No, the correct usage is "I am "against"" something. The preposition "of" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect in this context.