be defended from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be defended from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing protection or safeguarding someone or something from harm or danger. Example: "The castle was built to be defended from invaders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

By William Egginton Do the humanities need to be defended from hard science?

The New York Times

Indeed, the individual needs to be defended from more than the state.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nothing can be defended from globalisation, not even "our" beautiful, ugly game.

The Guardian - Books

Every defence study agrees that Britain primarily needs to be defended from technological and robotic warfare.

The Guardian - Opinion

They can also be defended from the moral high ground (not that this will help him in Kansas or Wyoming).

The Economist

"Kids can be part of the space," the younger Mr. Rogers said, or it can be "defended" from them.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

We knew nothing about their lives outside — nor, for that matter, about their country, which we were supposed to be defending from something.

The New York Times

West Ham, in their white shirts and blue shorts, get the game going, and they'll be defending from right to left in the first half.

The Guardian - Sport

It's unlikely they're making sure those coffeemakers are defended from malware as well.

The Guardian - Tech

The remains of the fortress from which the town was defended from the Turks in 1551 are on the hill to the northeast.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Even as the airport was defended from being overrun, pilots still complained of being targeted by small-arms fire from areas surrounding the airport that have proven difficult to secure, including the Abu Ghraib district.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be defended from", clearly specify what is being defended and from what it is being defended. For example, "The city must be defended from invaders."

Common error

Avoid using the wrong preposition after "defended". It's crucial to use "from" to indicate what the defense is against, not "of" or "by".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be defended from" functions primarily as a passive construction, indicating that something is the recipient of a defensive action. This is supported by the Ludwig examples, which showcase various entities needing protection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

16%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be defended from" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to express the need for protection against a specific threat or danger, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It appears frequently in news, wiki, and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. Effective use involves clearly specifying what is being protected and the source of the threat. Alternatives such as ""be protected against"" or ""be shielded from"" offer similar meanings, providing flexibility in writing. With a source quality score of 85 and an expert rating of 4.6, the phrase is considered highly reliable and versatile.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be protected against

Focuses on shielding from a specific threat.

be safeguarded from

Highlights careful protection and prevention of harm.

be shielded from

Emphasizes a barrier or screen against something.

be guarded against

Highlights vigilance and precaution.

be secured against

Implies making something safe and resistant to attack.

be sheltered from

Suggests providing cover and refuge.

be immune to

Indicates a natural or acquired resistance.

be resistant to

Suggests an inherent ability to withstand something.

be fortified against

Focuses on strengthening defenses.

be insulated from

Implies separation and protection from an outside influence.

FAQs

How can I use "be defended from" in a sentence?

The phrase "be defended from" is used to indicate that something needs protection or safeguarding against a potential threat. For instance, "The country must be defended from cyber attacks" or "The environment needs to be defended from pollution".

What's a good alternative to "be defended from"?

Alternatives include "be protected against", "be shielded from", or "be safeguarded from", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "be defended against" instead of "be defended from"?

While "be defended against" is also correct and commonly used, "be defended from" is generally preferred when specifying the source of the threat or attack. They are often interchangeable, but consider the nuance in your specific context.

What does it mean when something needs to "be defended from"?

It means that something is vulnerable to a potential threat, attack, or negative influence, and measures must be taken to protect it. This could range from physical defense to legal or ethical protection.