are written against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are written against" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is documented or recorded in opposition to something else, often in a legal or formal context. Example: "The terms of the agreement are written against the backdrop of previous negotiations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Thousands of books are written against Jesus.

The New York Times

"Thousands of books are written against Muhammad.

The New York Times

All books are written against impossible odds; the odds just change as time goes on.

The Guardian - Books

Mortgages are considered less risky if they are written against primary residences; loans on second homes or investment properties are deemed to be more of a gamble.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Around 30percentt of the contracts were written against indexes representing baskets of debt from numerous issuers.

The New York Times

If you read Das Kapital, nothing is written against the wealth of Britain, but a lot against poverty".

The Guardian - Business

In most cases, the rules were written against the backdrop of the school shootings around the country in recent years.

The New York Times

All of his previous novels - The Pickwick Papers, Nicholas Nickleby, The Old Curiosity Shop - had been written against a deadline.

The Guardian - Books

It was written against the grain of the times, and the bien pensants, however much they secretly relished its satirical wit, were reluctant to approve it publicly.

The Guardian - Books

Most of Verdi's operas were written against an unstable political background, as foreign armies criss-crossed a divided country, and foreign monarchs held sway over its principalities.

The Guardian - Music

Ian Buruma and Avishai Margalit's book "Occidentalism: The West in the Eyes of Its Enemies" is written against the backdrop of the late Edward Said's influential work "Orientalism".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are written against", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is opposing or countering. The phrase works best when the object of opposition is explicitly stated or easily inferred.

Common error

Avoid using "are written against" without clearly specifying what is being opposed. Ambiguity can confuse the reader and weaken the statement's impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are written against" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject is created in opposition to or as a counterpoint to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English. The examples provided show its use in diverse contexts, such as theological debates or historical backgrounds.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

12.5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6.25%

Encyclopedias

3.125%

Reference

3.125%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are written against" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's used to indicate opposition, contrast, or the setting of a backdrop against which something is created. While not extremely frequent, it appears in diverse contexts ranging from news and media to science and formal business. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to clearly specify what is being opposed or countered when using this phrase. Consider alternatives like "are set against" or "are in opposition to" for nuanced meanings. Avoiding ambiguity will maximize the effectiveness of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are set against

This alternative shifts the focus to the backdrop or setting against which something is written.

are a counter to

This offers a more concise way of indicating opposition.

are in opposition to

This emphasizes direct contradiction or disagreement.

are a response to

This suggests the writing is a reaction to something else.

are intended as a critique of

This highlights the critical nature of the writing.

are a rebuttal of

This specifies that the writing is a formal counter-argument.

are formulated to oppose

This focuses on the intention behind the writing, which is to oppose something.

are drafted in response to

Highlights the act of creating a written work as a direct result of something else.

are composed as a defense against

This suggests the writing is acting as a form of protection or justification.

are premised on disagreement with

This emphasizes the foundational disagreement that underpins the writing.

FAQs

How can I use "are written against" in a sentence?

Use "are written against" to indicate that something is documented or recorded in opposition to something else. For example, "The terms of the agreement "are written against" the backdrop of previous negotiations."

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

"Are written against" indicates opposition or contrast, while "are written for" signifies the intended audience or purpose. For example, "These rules "were written against" the backdrop of school shootings", compared to "This book "was written for" children".

What can I say instead of "are written against"?

You can use alternatives like "are set against", "are in opposition to", or "are a response to" depending on the specific context.

Is "are written against" always used in a negative context?

While "are written against" often implies opposition or disagreement, it's not always inherently negative. It simply indicates that something is being contrasted or countered, which can be done for clarification or constructive criticism.