balance against

USAGE SUMMARY

'balance against' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are comparing two different things that have similar value or opposing qualities. For example, you might say "We need to balance the potential risks against the potential benefits before deciding on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Such misjudgements weigh heavy in the balance against Mr Morsi.

Independent

But how do you balance against soft power?

The New York Times - Magazine

Can they tip the balance against a history of disappointment and deep poverty?

Yale University

Kip Meek, the YouView chairman, has described the platform as a "balance against pay-TV platforms".

The Guardian

How these two forces balance against the executive control of SCAF is nigh impossible to discern.

The New Yorker

Nos. 2, 3 and 4 will seek to balance against Mr. Big.

The New York Times

Tipping the balance against the Taliban with small, mobile teams worked in Afghanistan, but barely.

The New York Times - Books

The former stance risks tipping the balance against those with less evident obligations, such as jockeys.

The Guardian - Sport

The so-called Arctic convoys are credited with helping to tip the balance against the Nazis.

The Guardian - Money

It can ill afford to lose people who act as a balance against this view".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"In every one of those cases, Western-backed intervention tipped the balance against jihadist gains.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "balance against", ensure that the elements being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "We must balance against the cost of the project the potential benefits it offers."

Common error

Avoid using "balance against" when you are not comparing two distinct, measurable entities. Instead of saying "I need to balance against stress", consider using "manage" or "reduce" stress because stress itself isn't a comparable entity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "balance against" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase used to compare and contrast opposing elements or forces. As shown by Ludwig's examples, this often involves evaluating the relative importance or weight of different factors to achieve equilibrium or make informed decisions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "balance against" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to compare opposing forces or elements. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in diverse contexts, primarily in news, academic, and scientific writing. To enhance clarity, ensure that the elements being compared are well-defined. While alternatives like "counteract", "offset", and "counterbalance" exist, understanding the nuances of each will help you choose the most appropriate phrase for your context. The key is to use "balance against" when you're truly comparing distinct, measurable entities to clearly weigh their relative importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

counterbalance

A single word to indicate opposing a force, keeping things stable.

weigh against

Highlights the act of assessing the importance of opposing factors.

act as a counterweight to

Suggests a deliberate action to provide stability against an opposing force.

counteract

Focuses on directly opposing or neutralizing something.

offset

Emphasizes the compensation or equalization of an effect.

provide equilibrium against

Emphasizes achieving a state of balance.

compensate for

Focuses on providing an equivalent to mitigate a deficit or imbalance.

serve as a check on

Indicates a mechanism to restrain or control something.

mitigate

Reduces the severity or impact of something.

equalize

Emphasizes making things equal or equivalent.

FAQs

How can I use "balance against" in a sentence?

Use "balance against" to compare the relative weight or importance of opposing factors, such as, "The company must "balance against" the costs of the project the potential benefits."

What's the difference between "balance against" and "weigh against"?

"Balance against" implies a search for equilibrium, while "weigh against" focuses more on evaluating the relative importance of factors. Although they are similar, weigh against has a more decisive connotation.

What can I say instead of "balance against"?

You can use alternatives like "counteract", "offset", or "counterbalance" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "balance against" or "balance with"?

"Balance against" is used when comparing opposing forces, while "balance with" is used to describe harmonizing different elements. The choice depends on whether you're comparing opposing elements or integrating different aspects.