are demonstrating against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are demonstrating against" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a group of people who are publicly expressing their opposition to something, typically in a protest or rally context. Example: "The citizens are demonstrating against the new policy that they believe will harm the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

You are demonstrating against yourselves".

The New York Times

It's a shame this remark is published in a month engagé Russians are demonstrating against Putin.

The Guardian - Books

Outside the provincial assembly, several hundred students are demonstrating against the governor, whom they accuse of corruption.

The Economist

In a major challenge to Mr. Suharto, students at scores of campuses are demonstrating against the Government and for greater democracy.

The New York Times

"The Chinese government has brought a lot of development to this country and these are the people you are demonstrating against?" he said.

The Guardian

They are demonstrating against Gov. Walker's proposal to require public workers to pay more for their health insurance and pensions, effectively cutting the take-home pay of many by around 7percentt.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

All those Occupy Wall Street demonstrators all across the country will be demonstrating against the White House.

Huffington Post

Those at the sit-in were demonstrating against a new constitution drafted by Morsi's allies.

The Guardian

"They might as well be demonstrating against the World Trade Organization," he said.

The New York Times

Freeman's people will be demonstrating against two centuries of overt racial discrimination.

The New York Times - Sports

In Morocco, they're demonstrating against Al Qaeda, whose affiliate in the Maghreb just killed sixteen people in a Marrakesh cafe.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are demonstrating against", ensure the context clearly identifies what the subjects are opposing. Providing specific details enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating what the subjects "are demonstrating against". Vague references can confuse the reader and weaken the message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are demonstrating against" functions as a verb phrase expressing collective opposition or protest. It indicates that a group of individuals is actively and publicly displaying their disagreement or disapproval of a specific issue, policy, or entity. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are demonstrating against" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a group publicly expressing opposition. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to inform about dissent, mainly in news and media contexts. While it maintains a neutral register suitable for various settings, explicit identification of the protest target is essential for clarity. Related phrases include "are protesting against" and "are opposing", offering similar meanings with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are protesting against

Uses the synonym "protesting" for "demonstrating", maintaining the same meaning.

are marching against

Replaces "demonstrating" with "marching", suggesting a more active form of protest.

are rallying against

Substitutes "demonstrating" with "rallying", implying a gathering of people for a cause.

are campaigning against

Changes to "campaigning", indicating a more organized and sustained effort.

are objecting to

Uses a more general term, "objecting", to express disapproval.

are opposing

A more concise way to convey the same meaning of being against something.

are resisting

Suggests a stronger, more active form of opposition.

are fighting against

Emphasizes the struggle or conflict involved in opposing something.

are voicing their disapproval of

A more formal way of expressing opposition.

are expressing their opposition to

Another formal alternative emphasizing the expression of disagreement.

FAQs

What's a simpler way to say "are demonstrating against"?

You can use phrases like "are protesting against", "are opposing", or "are objecting to" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "protesting" or "demonstrating" against something?

"Protesting" and "demonstrating" are often interchangeable, but "demonstrating" can sometimes imply a more organized or planned event, while "protesting" might suggest a more spontaneous expression of dissent.

How do I use "are demonstrating against" in a sentence?

Ensure your sentence clearly states who is demonstrating, and what they are demonstrating against. For example: "The students are demonstrating against the proposed tuition increase."

What's the difference between "are demonstrating against" and "are advocating for"?

"Are demonstrating against" implies opposition to something, while "are advocating for" suggests support for something. They are opposite in meaning.