a defense against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a defense against" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing measures or strategies that protect or safeguard against a threat or challenge. Example: "Vaccination serves as a defense against various infectious diseases."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Poetry is a defense against dying.

The New York Times

Rage is not a defense against murder.

The New York Times

Used as a defense against would-be predators.

University of California, Berkeley

Then, as now, it's a defense against danger.

The New York Times

The discipline of art is a defense against embarrassment.

The New York Times - Books

He offers a defense against the sapping mystery of night.

The Washington Post

Dry beach offers a defense against waves and wind.

The New York Times

The form of poetry becomes a defense against formlessness.

The New York Times

Does a defense against missiles now seem more urgent?

The New York Times

In "L'Inceste," she calls writing a defense against madness.

The New Yorker

The con is a defense against both intimacy and humiliation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "protection from" or "safeguard against" to avoid repetition and add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice constructions that obscure who or what is providing the defense. Instead of saying "A defense was provided against the attack", specify who or what provided the defense, like "The firewall provided a defense against the attack".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a defense against" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It identifies something that provides protection or resistance. Ludwig examples confirm this usage in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

27%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

17%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a defense against" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that denotes protection or resistance to a specific threat. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance across diverse sources, from news articles and academic papers to encyclopedias and general discussions. Its neutral to professional tone makes it suitable for various contexts. While the phrase is widely accepted and understood, writers should be mindful of employing active voice to clearly identify the source of the defense and consider using synonyms like "a protection from" or "a safeguard against" to add nuance and avoid repetition. Its high frequency and consistent usage across authoritative sources solidify its reliability in written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a shield against

Emphasizes protection, like a physical barrier.

a safeguard against

Highlights preventive measures to ensure safety.

a protection from

Focuses on being shielded from harm or negative effects.

a bulwark against

Suggests a strong, defensive structure or principle.

a deterrent to

Indicates something that discourages or prevents an action.

a countermeasure for

Refers to an action taken to counteract a threat.

a resistance to

Highlights the ability to withstand or oppose something.

an immunity to

Implies an inherent or acquired freedom from something.

a preventative for

Focuses on preventing something from happening.

a buffer against

Suggests a means of lessening the impact of something.

FAQs

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

Use "a defense against" to describe something that protects against a specific threat or challenge. For example, "Vaccination is "a defense against" many infectious diseases".

What are some alternatives to "a defense against"?

You can use alternatives like "a protection from", "a safeguard against", or "a shield against" depending on the context.

Is "a defense against" formal or informal?

"A defense against" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "a defense against" and "a deterrent to"?

"A defense against" implies protection from an existing threat, while "a deterrent to" suggests something that prevents a threat from arising in the first place. A strong military, for example, can be a deterrent to war.