are on defense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are on defense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to sports, strategy, or situations where someone is protecting themselves or their position. Example: "In the final minutes of the game, the team are on defense, trying to prevent the opposing team from scoring."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

For Republicans clinging to a 51-to-49 Senate majority, Nevada is one of only a handful of states where they are on defense — and in a Democratic sweep, it could be one of the seats that costs them control.

The New York Times

You are on defense.

The New York Times

Van Gundy's obsessions are on defense.

The New York Times - Sports

Daneyko, Scott Stevens and Scott Niedermayer are on defense.

The New York Times - Sports

Will fans cheer when the Giants are on defense or on offense?

The New York Times - Sports

The Democrats are on defense because they are unwilling to ask voters to confront the implications of their choices.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

We were on defense".

The New Yorker

You're on defense, zone defense.

The New Yorker

"You have guys who understand where to be on defense.

The New York Times - Sports

CBSSports.com's Wes Goldstein thinks many will be on defense.

The New York Times

And Republican attention might be on defense rather than offense.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a team's strategy in sports, use "are on defense" to indicate their focus on preventing the opposing team from scoring or advancing.

Common error

Avoid using "are on defense" when a more specific term like "are guarding" or "are shielding" would better convey the precise action being taken.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are on defense" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, describing the state or condition of a subject. It indicates that the subject is in a defensive posture, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

30%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are on defense" is a versatile predicate adjective phrase used to describe a state of protection or resistance. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in sports and news contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's crucial to select the most precise term for the specific situation. Alternatives like "are defending" or "are in a defensive position" may be more appropriate depending on the context. Overall, "are on defense" is a valuable tool for describing strategic positioning and protective measures in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are defending

This alternative uses a verb form to express the action of defending.

are in a defensive position

This phrase provides a more descriptive and formal way to express the idea of being on defense.

are in a holding pattern

This suggests a temporary state of maintaining current status, similar to defending a position.

are guarding

Implies actively protecting a specific area or object.

are shielding

Suggests protecting something from harm or attack.

are warding off

This implies actively preventing an attack or threat.

are fending off

Similar to warding off, but may imply a more active resistance.

are resisting

This suggests opposing or fighting against something.

are withstanding

This implies enduring or holding firm against pressure or attack.

are protecting

A general term indicating the act of keeping something safe from harm.

FAQs

How can I use "are on defense" in a sentence?

You can use "are on defense" to describe a team's strategy in sports, such as "The team "are on defense", trying to prevent the other team from scoring."

What's an alternative to saying "are on defense"?

Alternatives to "are on defense" include phrases like "are defending", "are in a defensive position", or "are guarding", depending on the specific context.

Is "are on defense" formal or informal?

The phrase "are on defense" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal writing might benefit from alternatives like "are in a defensive position".

When is it appropriate to use "are on defense" versus "are attacking"?

"Are on defense" should be used when the focus is on preventing the opponent from scoring or gaining an advantage, while "are attacking" indicates an offensive strategy aimed at scoring or gaining territory.