against this background

USAGE SUMMARY

"against this background" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation or context established by the preceding text. For example, "The company has recently faced several difficulties. Against this background, the board of directors has made the decision to reduce staff numbers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Against this background, political unrest flourished.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Against this background, Dahl's apostasy merits attention.

The New Yorker

Against this background, Southern Cross prospered.

The Guardian - Business

The State’s interest must be understood against this background.

Cornell University

Against this background, what value education, what value culture?

The Guardian

Against this background, there is at least a little realism.

The Guardian

Against this background, Labour's promise is the most promising.

The Guardian - Opinion

Orhan Pamuk has been working against this background for years.

The Guardian - Books

Against this background, Laine Hanson represents unbending principle.

The New York Times

Against this background the Tasaday appeared as a godsend.

The Guardian - Books

It is against this background that my report is presented.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "against this background" to smoothly transition from a description of a situation to an analysis or action taken in response to that situation. It provides a clear link between context and consequence.

Common error

Avoid using "against this background" when there is no clearly established preceding context. The phrase requires a prior explanation or description to make sense; otherwise, it will confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "against this background" functions as a prepositional phrase, serving as an adverbial modifier. It introduces context or provides a setting for understanding subsequent information or events. Ludwig provides many examples of its use in various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

30%

Science

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "against this background" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to provide context and establish a clear relationship between preceding information and a subsequent action or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse sources like news, academia, and science. While alternatives such as "in light of this" and "considering this context" exist, "against this background" is a strong option. Remember to ensure a clear, established context before using the phrase to avoid confusing your reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in light of this

Replaces "background" with "light", emphasizing understanding based on prior information. It's a direct synonym.

considering this context

Specifies "context" directly, making the relationship more explicit. Focuses on the surrounding circumstances.

given these circumstances

Highlights the specific conditions affecting a situation. It has a slightly more formal tone.

in view of these facts

Emphasizes the factual basis for understanding something. Slightly more formal.

with this in mind

Focuses on remembering or considering previous information. Slightly more personal or advisory.

taking this into account

Highlights the act of considering prior information. More active voice.

bearing this in mind

Similar to "with this in mind", but slightly more formal. Emphasizes continuous awareness.

on the basis of this

Highlights the foundational nature of the preceding information. Formal and precise.

predicated on this situation

Emphasizes how a situation is established. Slightly stronger emphasis on cause and effect.

considering the situation

Focuses more narrowly on circumstances at play.

FAQs

How can I use "against this background" in a sentence?

Use "against this background" to introduce an action, decision, or understanding that logically follows from a previously described situation. For example, "The company faced declining sales. Against this background, they decided to launch a new marketing campaign."

What are some alternatives to "against this background"?

You can use alternatives such as "in light of this", "considering this context", or "given these circumstances" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "against this background" formal or informal?

"Against this background" is suitable for neutral to formal writing. It is commonly used in news articles, academic papers, and business reports, offering a professional tone.

What's the difference between "against this background" and "in this context"?

"Against this background" emphasizes the historical or situational factors leading up to the current situation, while "in this context" simply refers to the current set of circumstances. The former highlights a progression or consequence.