against the needs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "against the needs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or decisions that do not align with or support the requirements or necessities of a situation or group. Example: "The proposed changes to the project were made against the needs of the community, leading to widespread dissatisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The experience pit my views as an environmentalist against the needs of my disability.

The Washington Post

B.S., NEW YORK What's harder than balancing the needs of one against the needs of the many?

The New York Times - Magazine

In this article, the characteristics of Scrum and XP in particular and agile development in general are evaluated against the needs of CSE developers.

Procedia Computer Science

David McCurdy, president of the automakers' alliance, cautioned that lawmakers needed to balance the proposals against the needs of consumers and carmakers.

The New York Times

"However, this loss must be balanced against the needs of the many thousands of New Yorkers throughout New York City who have lost bus service".

The New York Times

In recent years this core value of the French republic has been opposed by communautarisme, which sets the needs of the "community" against the needs of "society".

The Guardian

He said the policy tries to balance the privacy rights of computer users against the needs of law enforcement to be able to monitor digital communications.

The New York Times

It is a day-by-day, sometimes hour-by-hour, undertaking, all balanced against the needs and wants of our own biological families.

The New York Times

It started with the adverts that pitched the purported cost of a new voting system against the needs of imperilled newborns.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

First off is protecting the aid budget against cuts and against the needs of climate mitigation and adaptation.

The Guardian

Once the fetus is a patient, they argue, the doctor has a duty to try to protect its well-being and balance its needs against the needs of the pregnant woman (e.g., Chervenak and McCullough 1996).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "against the needs", ensure the context clearly identifies whose needs are being opposed. Providing specific examples of these needs enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the entities whose needs are being disregarded. For example, instead of saying "the project went against the needs", specify "the project went against the needs of the local community."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "against the needs" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating opposition, conflict, or non-alignment with specific requirements or necessities. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to highlight situations where actions or decisions contradict what is required by an entity or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

32%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "against the needs" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that effectively conveys opposition or conflict with specific requirements. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. With a neutral register, it’s readily adaptable for use in news, academic discussions, and general conversations. Usage patterns show it’s frequently found in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Science". To ensure clarity, specify whose needs are being opposed, and avoid ambiguity by clearly identifying the subject. Alternatives such as "contrary to the requirements" or "in opposition to the necessities" offer similar meanings, with slight nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contrary to the requirements

This alternative emphasizes direct opposition to established requirements.

in opposition to the necessities

This phrase highlights a conflict with essential needs.

disregarding the demands

This option focuses on the act of ignoring or neglecting explicit demands.

in defiance of the prerequisites

This suggests a deliberate act of non-compliance with necessary conditions.

at odds with the essentials

This conveys a state of disagreement or incompatibility with fundamental elements.

in conflict with the provisions

Highlights discordance with specified provisions or arrangements.

counter to the specifications

This option emphasizes a direct contradiction of technical or detailed specifications.

violating the imperatives

Emphasizes a breach of critical or urgent needs.

neglecting the exigencies

Focuses on ignoring pressing or urgent needs.

at variance with the criteria

Indicates a lack of conformity with established benchmarks or standards.

FAQs

How can I use "against the needs" in a sentence?

Use "against the needs" to describe actions or decisions that don't align with what's required or necessary. For example, "The new policy is "against the needs" of the students".

What's a good alternative to "against the needs"?

Alternatives include phrases like "contrary to the requirements", "in opposition to the necessities", or "disregarding the demands".

When is it appropriate to use "against the needs"?

It's appropriate when discussing situations where actions or decisions conflict with or undermine the necessities or requirements of a person, group, or situation.

Is there a difference between "against the needs" and "contrary to the needs"?

While similar, "against the needs" suggests a more active opposition, whereas "contrary to the needs" simply indicates a lack of alignment. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.