be located against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be located against" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you want to describe something positioned in relation to another object, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The painting will be located against the wall in the gallery."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

When the vent is on the convergence plenum, it is suggested to be located against the cooling channel around the battery cell with the maximum temperature.

International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer

While the Idealist and New Liberal assault on individualism is one important element of the intellectual background to Dewey's political philosophy, this should also be located against the background of his own mature conception of inquiry.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"The central oculus is located against the East elevation and may be used as a sun-clock," notes Mediated Matter.

Vice

This last patient was considered inoperable after I-MIBG therapy as the residual tumour was located against the crus of the diaphragm.

European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

The holding boxes were kept on two tables (76 cm high) that were located against the two walls of the room that the rats did not face during testing.

Behavioural Brain Research

This behavior will also manifest in the rubbing of her cheeks and chin (where her scent glands are located) against furniture, and especially entrance and exit points such as door frames.

WikiHow

Prior to and as a condition of the completion of our acquisition, Zopim terminated the subscriptions of those customers believed to be located in Iran, screened its customers against applicable U.S. government lists of prohibited persons, implemented measures designed to prevent future unauthorized access to the service, and obtained U.S. government authorization to export its software.

TechCrunch

Nuclear deterrence is simply not credible against terrorists who cannot be located or welcome death.

The New York Times

County Legislator Michael Caracciolo, in whose district the ferry is located, voted against the higher rate, citing a survey he had circulated among Shelter Islanders in which those who responded overwhelmingly opposed both rate increases.

The New York Times

This beam-column was located first against axial load and then lateral load as illustrated (Bae 2005).

International Journal of Advanced Structural Engineering

In 1990, 90% of the Algerian migrants were located in France, against 858% for skilled ones.

IZA Journal of Migration

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for clearer and more common prepositions like "near", "beside", or "adjacent to" when describing the location of something. This will improve clarity and readability.

Common error

Avoid using "against" to describe simple location. "Against" often implies pressure or support, which may not be the intended meaning. Choose a preposition that accurately reflects the spatial relationship you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be located against" functions as a passive construction indicating the position of an object in relation to another. However, it is not a common or natural construction in English. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase can sound awkward.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be located against" is a grammatically understandable but uncommon and somewhat awkward way to describe the position of an object. Ludwig AI suggests that it's not a standard expression in English, indicating that while it might not be strictly incorrect, there are better, more natural alternatives available.

As seen from Ludwig examples, it appears in diverse contexts—Science, News & Media, and Wiki—but its rarity and potential for misinterpretation suggest opting for alternatives like "be situated near" or "be positioned beside" for clearer and more effective communication. Using more conventional phrasing enhances clarity and aligns with standard English usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be situated near

Replaces "located against" with a more common preposition indicating proximity.

be positioned beside

Uses "positioned" which is a more active verb and "beside" for clearer spatial relation.

be found next to

Uses simpler vocabulary to indicate proximity.

be placed adjacent to

Formal alternative emphasizing contiguity.

lie close to

Emphasizes physical closeness or adjacency.

be situated opposite

Indicates a direct facing or contrasting position.

be set in opposition to

Highlights a contrasting or conflicting relationship.

abut

A concise, formal term for sharing a boundary.

be affixed to

Highlights the act of being fixed or attached to something.

be juxtaposed with

Emphasizes the act of placing two things side by side, especially for comparison.

FAQs

What's a better way to phrase "be located against"?

Consider using phrases like "be situated near", "be positioned beside", or "be placed adjacent to" for clearer and more natural English.

When is it appropriate to use "against" in location descriptions?

Use "against" when something is resting on or supported by something else, implying contact and often pressure. For simple location, prepositions like "near" or "beside" are usually more suitable.

Is "be located against" grammatically incorrect?

While understandable, "be located against" is considered grammatically awkward and uncommon. It doesn't violate any strict grammatical rules, but it's not idiomatic English.

How can I avoid sounding unnatural when describing the position of an object?

Prioritize clarity and use prepositions that precisely convey the spatial relationship. Common choices include "next to", "beside", "near", "opposite", and "adjacent to".