be construed against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be construed against" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is usually used to indicate that an action or statement will be met with unfavorable consequences. For example: "Any ambiguities in the contract shall be construed against the drafter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

While all doubts must be construed against Defendant, there is insufficient evidence to create a doubt about Defendant's actions.

Harvard University

It claims that tax benefits require statutory clarity and that "any ambiguity must be construed against the subsidy".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

An Iraq policy that allies the United States with Sunni Arab governments to eliminate Iranian influence in Iraq will be construed as biased against the Shiites.

The New York Times

I admit to the fullest extent the rule that all charters of private corporations are to be construed most strongly against the corporations.

Cornell University

He promoted any study or statement that could be construed as cutting against the prevailing view that heat-trapping gases like carbon dioxide contribute to global warming.

The New York Times

He lambasted the government, in particular, for asserting that because the ban did not apply to all Muslims in the world, it could not be construed as discriminating against Muslims.

The Washington Post

Newsom spokesman Nathan Click said the lawsuit should not be construed as retaliation against Huntington Beach officials.

Los Angeles Times

"I must avoid anything that might be construed as retaliation against my accuser and I must respect the privacy of third parties who do not wish to be identified by name," Pogge said.

HuffPost

In addition, our results cannot be construed as evidence against a major role for these genes in aggression in other dog breeds.

Behavior Genetics

The justification for this expanded risk assessment is the host nonspecificity of many infectious diseases; lack of evidence for the presence of a given disease in a given host should not be construed as evidence against its presence.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

For instance, most states do not allow even "at will" dismissal if it can be construed as discrimination against a protected class.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "be construed against", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what will be negatively affected by the interpretation. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the argument.

Common error

Avoid using "be construed against" in situations where the negative interpretation is speculative or lacks concrete evidence. This can weaken your argument and make it seem biased.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be construed against" functions as a passive construction used to indicate how a statement, action, or legal provision is likely to be interpreted, particularly in contexts involving potential disadvantage or negative implications. As Ludwig AI explains, this means that the interpreted action will be met with unfavorable consequences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be construed against" is a formal phrase indicating a likely negative interpretation or consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, emphasizing its use in scenarios where unfavorable outcomes are expected. Predominantly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, this phrase requires careful application to avoid ambiguity and ensure the intended meaning is accurately conveyed. When writing, make sure the affected party is clearly defined and avoid speculative applications of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be interpreted unfavorably

Focuses on the act of interpreting something in a negative light.

be seen as detrimental to

Highlights the harmful or damaging aspect of the action or statement.

be regarded as prejudicial to

Emphasizes the biased or unfair nature of the interpretation.

be understood as working against

Suggests a direct opposition or conflict.

be viewed as undermining

Implies a weakening or destabilizing effect.

be deemed unfavorable

Highlights a judgment or assessment of being negative.

have negative repercussions

Focuses on the consequences or outcomes of the action or statement.

result in adverse consequences

Similar to the above, emphasizing the unfavorable results.

be disadvantageous to

Emphasizes the creation of a disadvantage or hindrance.

be counterproductive for

Suggests that the action hinders progress or desired outcomes.

FAQs

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

This phrase indicates that something will likely be interpreted in a negative or unfavorable way. For example: "Any ambiguities in the contract will "be construed against" the drafter".

What's a good alternative to "be construed against"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "be interpreted unfavorably", "be seen as detrimental to", or "be regarded as prejudicial to".

Is "be construed against" formal or informal?

The phrase "be construed against" is generally considered formal and is suitable for legal, academic, and professional contexts.

What does it mean when something is "construed against" someone?

It means that any ambiguity or uncertainty will be interpreted in a way that is disadvantageous to that person. This often occurs in legal or contractual settings.