a criticism against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a criticism against" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a negative evaluation or judgment directed towards someone or something. Example: "The article presented a criticism against the government's handling of the crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It understates just how powerful and life-consuming beliefs can be – ironically, something that is simultaneously used as a criticism against religion by anti-theists.

Independent

"Maybe they appear to be spoiled," says Yoko Kunihiro, a sociologist who studies dissatisfaction among women in their 30's, "but you could also perceive Parasite Singles as the embodiment of a criticism against society.

The New York Times - Magazine

But Noriega defended his work explaining it's a criticism against what he says is a hostile environment for Latinos in the southern state.

Huffington Post

Also, in discussing this point the text seems a little unfair: as a criticism against the term A-ATPase, the authors argue that it "largely ignores the fact that V-type ATPase genes are encoded in many recently sequenced bacterial genomes", but on the following pages the authors themselves point out that these bacterial A-ATPases were likely acquired through HGT from archaeal donors.

Biology Direct

This is not a criticism against emotion, but when it's a negative emotion, sometimes it can cause more harm than good.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

If there's a criticism levied against Wu, it's that he collaborates too often.

The New York Times

A criticism leveled against the B-Unaware trial was that the control group also used a protocol, which was not reflective of current standard practice.

BMC Anesthesiology

The WTP presented in a hypothetical situation differs from the actual amount paid – a typical criticism against CVM [ 4].

BMC Health Services Research

A second criticism against cladistic biogeography is that it ignores processes in the biogeographic inference: the area cladogram is inferred without any reference to the underlying biogeographic events.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The fact that these large neural networks are currently mostly black boxes whose inner workings are poorly understood is often leveled as a major criticism against them.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

"What Trump and Sanders have both done very effectively is mount a strident criticism against the traditional political process," he says.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a criticism against", ensure the target of the criticism is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "a criticism against the policy" rather than simply "a criticism".

Common error

Avoid pairing "against" with abstract nouns when a different preposition might be more appropriate. For example, instead of "a criticism against an idea", consider "a criticism of an idea" for smoother phrasing.

Linguistic Context

"A criticism against" functions as a noun phrase, typically introducing a statement of disapproval or disagreement. It identifies the existence of a negative evaluation directed toward a specific target. Ludwig AI confirms that its use is grammatically correct and understandable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a criticism against" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to introduce a negative evaluation or disagreement. Ludwig confirms its validity. While not the most frequent choice, it appears in news media, scientific articles, and general online content. Alternatives like "a critique of" or "an objection to" may be preferred in more formal settings. When using the phrase, clarity is paramount: always specify the target of the criticism. Its usage appears most frequently in News & Media and Science, reflecting its role in expressing disagreement and evaluating entities in these contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a critique of

Focuses on a detailed evaluation, not necessarily negative.

an objection to

Highlights a reason for disagreement or disapproval.

a negative review of

Specifically refers to a formal assessment that is unfavorable.

a dissenting opinion on

Implies a formal disagreement within a group or collective.

a complaint about

Suggests an expression of dissatisfaction or grievance.

a reproach to

Implies blame or disapproval.

an attack on

Suggests a strong, often aggressive, expression of disapproval.

a denunciation of

Conveys a public condemnation or strong disapproval.

a challenge to

Indicates questioning or opposition to something.

a dispute over

Emphasizes disagreement and argument.

FAQs

How can I use "a criticism against" in a sentence?

You can use "a criticism against" to introduce a negative evaluation. For example, "The editorial board voiced "a criticism against" the proposed budget cuts."

What are some alternatives to "a criticism against"?

Alternatives include "a critique of", "an objection to", or "a complaint about". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "a criticism against" and "a criticism of"?

While both phrases convey a negative evaluation, "a criticism of" is generally considered more standard and grammatically conventional. "A criticism against" can sound slightly less formal.

When is it appropriate to use "a criticism against"?

It is appropriate to use "a criticism against" when you want to express disapproval or disagreement directed toward a specific entity or action. Consider using more formal alternatives like "a critique of" in academic or professional contexts.