be determined against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be determined against" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts where a decision or outcome is being established in opposition to something, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The committee's decision will be determined against the backdrop of recent events."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Here the total cohesion c′ can be determined against u a-u w by the conventional direct shear test or triaxial test.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

Though the truncated m-BTBD2T localized to distinct nuclear bodies, its co-localization with endogenous TOP1 could not be determined against the background of endogenous TOP1 diffuse nuclear staining.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Although outspokenly rebellious, Arthur Seaton in Saturday Night is determined, against formidable odds (a factory worker's pay), to enjoy himself.

The Guardian - Film

The antibacterial activity of hydrogels was determined against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Chemical Engineering Research and Design

Anticancer activity of A. hydaspica polyphenols has been determined against breast and prostate cancer [19].

Chemistry Central Journal

The total protein was extracted and enzyme activity was determined against Methylglyoxal as substrate.

Rice

The absorbance at 540 nm was determined against a blank of DMSO.

Botanical Studies

The MIC of Trtesin was determined against several bacteria as 64 μg/mL.

Natural Products and Bioprospecting

Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of SNBCs were determined against E.coli, B. subtilis and S. pombe.

AMB Express

Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 125 to 500 mg/ml were determined against tested strains.

AMB Express

Secondly, metals concentrations were determined against particular λ max values for each element.

Fashion and Textiles

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be determined against", ensure the context clearly indicates that a comparison or opposition is intended. If clarity is lacking, consider a more common and straightforward alternative.

Common error

Avoid using "be determined against" when a simple comparison would suffice. For example, instead of "The effectiveness was determined against the old method", consider "The effectiveness was compared to the old method."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be determined against" functions as a passive construction indicating comparison or opposition. It suggests that something is being evaluated or decided in relation to another factor, as seen in the Ludwig examples related to antibacterial activity and cohesion.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be determined against" is a grammatically acceptable but infrequent construction used to indicate a comparative assessment. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear. The phrase is more likely to appear in scientific or formal contexts, emphasizing a structured evaluation in relation to something else. Due to its infrequent use, it's advisable to consider clearer and more common alternatives such as "be compared with" or "be evaluated in contrast with" for better clarity. When using "be determined against", ensure the context explicitly conveys the intended comparison or opposition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be decided in opposition to

Focuses on the act of making a decision that is contrary to something else.

be assessed relative to

Emphasizes evaluation in comparison or opposition to a standard.

be evaluated in contrast with

Highlights the comparative evaluation, emphasizing differences.

be established as a counterpoint to

Indicates the creation of something to oppose or balance something else.

be measured in comparison to

Focuses on a quantitative or qualitative measurement against a reference.

be judged in light of

Implies evaluation based on specific circumstances or information that provides context.

be defined in relation to

Highlights that understanding or definition comes from its connection with another thing, often contrasting features.

be set against

Emphasizes a direct opposition or contrast between two elements.

be compared with

A general comparison but can imply differences when 'against' is understood.

be weighed against

Focuses on the evaluation of relative importance or influence.

FAQs

What does "be determined against" mean?

The phrase "be determined against" suggests that something is evaluated or decided in relation to, or in contrast with, something else. It implies a comparative assessment where one thing is measured or judged against another.

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

You can use "be determined against" when you want to show a comparison or opposition. For instance, "The success of the new strategy will "be assessed relative to" the previous one."

Are there alternatives to using "be determined against"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "be compared with", "be evaluated in contrast with", or "be measured in comparison to" depending on the specific context.

Is "be determined against" a common phrase in English?

No, "be determined against" is not a very common phrase. It's grammatically correct but less frequently used than alternatives like "be compared with" or "be weighed against".