be countered by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be countered by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where one action or effect is opposed or mitigated by another action or effect. Example: "The negative impacts of climate change can be countered by implementing sustainable practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Therefore, the above problem could possibly be countered by using a combination of higher current efficiencies with higher flow velocities.

Desalination

But they can be countered by another.

The New York Times - Health

That must be countered by a vigorously critical free press.

The New York Times

Yet, it can be countered by strong leadership.

The Guardian - Opinion

If the boil has erupted, it will surely be countered by Americans themselves".

Independent

But that "what if?" argument can, and should, be countered by another "what if?".

Independent

Massive fossil fuel use in industrialised countries cannot be countered by handing out condoms.

The Guardian

Such "worthless works", he said, will soon be countered by young Iranian film-makers.

The Guardian - Film

A reaching gesture by one dancer would be countered by resistance from the other.

The New York Times - Arts

The findings may be countered by reports of other comprehensive studies later, the scientist said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The extra cost, he said, would be countered by the new plane's increased speed and range.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be countered by", ensure that the sentence clearly identifies both the action being countered and the action that counters it for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "be countered by" in active voice constructions. The phrase inherently implies a passive recipient of an action, so ensure the subject is the thing being acted upon, not the actor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be countered by" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that something is being opposed or mitigated by another force or action. As confirmed by Ludwig, this construction is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be countered by" is a versatile phrase used to express opposition or mitigation, as validated by Ludwig. It's frequently found in scientific and news-related contexts. Grammatically correct and widely accepted, it helps writers clearly show how one action or effect can reduce or negate another. Remember to use it in passive constructions to maintain accuracy and clarity. Alternative phrases like "be offset by" or "be mitigated by" can provide nuanced variations depending on the specific context. While "be countered by" is most common in Science and News & Media, it can adapt to many different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be counteracted by

Emphasizes acting against something to reduce its effect.

be offset by

Focuses on balancing or neutralizing an effect, emphasizing equilibrium.

be balanced by

Focuses on creating equilibrium or stability by opposing forces.

be mitigated by

Highlights reducing the severity or intensity of something.

be neutralized by

Emphasizes complete cancellation or nullification of an effect.

be opposed by

Stresses direct resistance or conflict against something.

be prevented by

Focuses on stopping something from happening altogether.

be reversed by

Implies a complete turnaround of an existing effect.

be alleviated by

Highlights the lessening of pain, difficulty, or hardship.

be attenuated by

Emphasizes weakening or reducing the force of something.

FAQs

How can I use "be countered by" in a sentence?

Use "be countered by" to show how one action or effect is opposed or mitigated by another. For example, "The negative impacts of climate change can "be countered by" implementing sustainable practices."

What's a good alternative to "be countered by"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "be offset by", "be mitigated by", or "be neutralized by".

Is it better to use an active or passive construction with "be countered by"?

The phrase "be countered by" is inherently passive. To use it correctly, structure your sentence in the passive voice. For example: "The threat can "be countered by" diplomacy."

What does "be countered by" imply about the relationship between two actions?

It implies that one action directly opposes or reduces the effect of another. The action described as being countered is diminished or neutralized by the counteracting action.