be balanced against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be balanced against" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the need to weigh or compare different factors or considerations. Example: "The benefits of the new policy must be balanced against its potential drawbacks."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It has to be balanced against the cost," Nusbaum says.

MIT Technology Review

It's an interest that needs to be balanced against others.

The New York Times

Those risks, he said, have to be balanced against reward.

The New York Times

These two can be balanced against each other.

The Economist

While an additional direct measure could improve accuracy, cost must be balanced against incremental accuracy.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The purpose of the use may be balanced against the amount and substantiality of the use.

Harvard University

But these considerations need to be balanced against the potential risks.

The Guardian

As an attitude, it had its usefulness, though it need be balanced against its inherent limitations.

The New York Times - Books

It needs to be balanced against other considerations.

TechCrunch

This however, should be balanced against the additional resources required.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Ultimately though, it works well, so tradeoffs just have to be balanced against preference.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be balanced against", ensure that the elements being compared are clearly defined and relevant to the context. This helps to avoid ambiguity and strengthens the argument being presented.

Common error

Avoid using "be balanced against" when you intend to convey a direct causal relationship. The phrase implies a comparative evaluation, not that one factor directly causes a change in another. For example, don't say "His enthusiasm was balanced against his lack of experience" if you mean his lack of experience diminished his enthusiasm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be balanced against" functions as a passive construction used to express the need for comparative evaluation. It indicates that certain factors must be considered in relation to others, often in the context of trade-offs or conflicting considerations, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

30%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be balanced against" is a versatile passive construction employed to express the need for comparative evaluation. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and sees common use across diverse contexts, particularly in science, news media, and academic writing. When using "be balanced against", ensure clarity in the elements being compared to maintain precision. Alternatives like "be weighed against" or "be compared with" can offer subtle shifts in emphasis. By understanding the phrase's function and purpose, writers can effectively convey complex evaluations and considerations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be weighed against

Changes the verb "balanced" to "weighed", emphasizing the act of measuring importance.

be counterbalanced by

Highlights the act of equalizing opposing forces or factors.

be compared with

Replaces the concept of balancing with a direct comparison between elements.

be offset by

Indicates that one element compensates for another, altering the original meaning slightly.

be evaluated in light of

Focuses on assessing the value or significance considering different criteria.

be assessed alongside

Suggests a parallel evaluation, changing the focus from direct opposition.

be reconciled with

Implies resolving differences or inconsistencies by considering multiple factors.

be considered with respect to

Highlights the aspect of careful consideration, broadening the original meaning.

be put in perspective with

Focuses on providing a broader context for evaluation.

be judged in relation to

Emphasizes the act of making a judgement based on how elements interact.

FAQs

How can I use "be balanced against" in a sentence?

Use "be balanced against" to show that two or more things need to be considered together, often because they are in opposition or create a trade-off. For example, "The benefits of the treatment need to be balanced against the potential side effects."

What can I say instead of "be balanced against"?

You can use alternatives like "be weighed against", "be compared with", or "be offset by" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

What does it mean when something needs "to be balanced against" something else?

It means that the positive and negative aspects, or the advantages and disadvantages, of each option must be considered carefully. The decision is based on a fair evaluation of all factors.

Is there a difference between "be balanced against" and "be weighed against"?

The phrases are very similar, but "be weighed against" might imply a more deliberate or critical assessment of the relative importance of the factors being considered, while "be balanced against" may focus more on finding an equilibrium between them.