at the backdrop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the backdrop" is not correct in standard English; the correct expression is "against the backdrop." You can use it to describe a situation or context in which something occurs, often to provide a setting for an event or action.
Example: "The negotiations took place against the backdrop of rising tensions in the region."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

At the backdrop of everything is Montana's tumultuous railroad history.

The New York Times

"It's pretty," he said, gesturing at the backdrop of sailboats in the harbor.

The New Yorker

No, I think the best way to judge a book is by looking at the backdrop hanging behind the man holding the book.

The Guardian

"On TV it looks so real," says Lou, as he stares at the backdrop of the LA skyline in the news studio.

The Guardian - Film

The idea is that the spectators and the five hundred million people watching on TV can look at the backdrop of the city skyline, while the drivers, like Vettel, speed through the streets of New Jersey.

The New Yorker

The stage was like an old Hollywood film, with stage lights and mirrors at the backdrop that reflected the models as they came out in glittering silver movie star gowns.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

To make it more fantastical, the stiff little mannequins that stand agape at the backdrops take on the coloration of the slides.

The New York Times - Arts

To make it more fantastical, the stiff little mannequins who stand agape at the backdrops take on the coloration of the slides.

The New York Times - Arts

But that reluctance should also be looked at against the backdrop of a broader pattern that has taken shape, one that could have serious policy consequences for the country.

The Washington Post

A unique prospective study has explored the role of traffic-related pollution in causing asthma by estimating children's exposure both at home and at school against the backdrop of regional ambient air pollution [ EHP 118 7):1021 1026; McConnell et al.].

Environmental Health Perspectives

At Garavek, hear folk tales in English at a small theatre at 6.30pm (£4) to the backdrop of khene music played on a bamboo-reed instrument.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct preposition "against" instead of "at" when describing something as a backdrop or context. For example, say "The discussion occurred against the backdrop of economic uncertainty" instead of "at the backdrop".

Common error

The most common mistake is using the preposition "at" instead of "against" when describing the context or setting. "At" typically indicates a location, while "against" implies a contrast or background. Always double-check your preposition choice to ensure grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the backdrop" functions as a prepositional phrase intended to provide context or setting, but it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI explains, the correct form is "against the backdrop".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "at the backdrop" appears with some frequency, it is considered grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "against the backdrop", which is used to provide context or describe the setting in which an event occurs. As Ludwig AI notes, the examples indicate its usage spans across various sources, including news and media. Therefore, writers should always use "against the backdrop" to maintain grammatical accuracy and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

against the backdrop

Corrects the grammatical error by using the correct preposition "against".

set against the background of

A more verbose and descriptive way to express the same idea.

with the background of

Uses a slightly different prepositional construction to denote the setting.

in the context of

Replaces the spatial metaphor with a more abstract contextual relationship.

in light of

Focuses on using background information to understand something.

given the circumstances

Highlights the surrounding conditions affecting a situation.

within the framework of

Implies a more structured or formal context.

considering the situation

Similar to 'given the circumstances', but emphasizes a more active thought process.

with reference to

Indicates that something is being considered or discussed in relation to the background.

taking into account

Emphasizes the consideration of background factors in decision-making.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "at the backdrop" in a sentence?

The phrase "at the backdrop" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct way to express this idea is to use the phrase "against the backdrop".

What does "against the backdrop" mean?

The phrase "against the backdrop" means in the context of, or with something serving as a background or setting.

Are there alternatives to "at the backdrop" that I can use?

Yes, you can use phrases such as "in the context of", "in light of", or "set against the background of" instead of "at the backdrop".

How can I avoid using "at the backdrop" incorrectly?

Always remember to use the preposition "against" when you want to describe something happening in a specific context or setting. Review your sentence to ensure that "against the backdrop" fits the intended meaning.