battle against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "battle against" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a struggle or confrontation with an opposing force. For example: "The villagers fought a hard battle against the invading army."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Remembering My Battle Against Fundamentalists.

Huffington Post

Inside The Battle Against Global Corruption.

Huffington Post

Inside The Battle Against Global Corruption .

Huffington Post

This battle against war can be won.

The New York Times

MORE news from the battle against AIDS.

The Economist

P3 Noel Edmonds reveals battle against cancer.

The Guardian

The battle against violent jihadism is vital.

The Guardian - Opinion

Australia is losing the battle against obesity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thanks A crucial battle against relegation.

The Guardian - Sport

He faught a valiant battle against Parkinson's.

The New York Times

Sherry lost her courageous battle against Leukemia.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "battle against" when describing a direct confrontation or sustained effort against a specific problem or opponent. For example: "the battle against climate change" or "the battle against poverty".

Common error

While "battle against" is widely understood, it can sound overly dramatic in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "fight", "oppose", or "deal with" in less formal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "battle against" functions primarily as a verbal phrase indicating a struggle or conflict with an opposing force or entity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. Examples range from the "battle against cancer" to the "battle against corruption".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "battle against" is a commonly used verbal phrase that signifies a struggle or conflict against an opposing force. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. Its primary function is to emphasize the effort and determination required to overcome a challenge, and its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and scientific reporting. While "battle against" is often interchangeable with alternatives like "fight against" or "struggle against", it's important to consider the specific nuance you wish to convey. In less formal settings, simpler terms might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struggle against

Emphasizes a prolonged and arduous effort, differing slightly in intensity.

fight against

A more direct and active form of opposition, implying a more immediate confrontation.

campaign against

Suggests a planned and organized effort, often over a longer period.

war against

Implies a larger scale and more intense conflict than a simple "battle".

combat against

Similar to "fight against" but often used in more formal or technical contexts.

oppose

A more general term indicating disagreement or resistance without necessarily implying direct conflict.

contend with

Focuses on dealing with challenges or difficulties, not necessarily a direct adversary.

tackle

Indicates an attempt to solve or manage a problem, often used in a proactive sense.

face

Suggests confronting a challenge or difficulty, without necessarily implying an active fight.

counteract

To act against something in order to reduce its force or neutralize it.

FAQs

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

The phrase "battle against" is used to describe a situation of conflict or struggle. For example, "The country is engaged in a "battle against" corruption".

What are some alternatives to "battle against"?

You can use alternatives such as "fight against", "struggle against", or "campaign against" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "war against" instead of "battle against"?

While both phrases describe conflict, "war against" typically implies a larger scale and more intense conflict than ""battle against"". The choice depends on the context.

What kind of nouns typically follow the phrase "battle against"?

The phrase "battle against" is commonly followed by nouns representing problems, diseases, or opposing forces such as "poverty", "cancer", or "injustice".