be stood against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be stood against" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely intended to convey the idea of being opposed or resisted, but the construction is awkward and not commonly used. Example: "They were expected to be stood against the new policy, but many supported it instead."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Then the freelancer approaches a stranger, trying to hold her hand, and is rejected; her hand-holdee doesn't want to pass up the chance to be stood against a wall by the artist herself.

The Guardian - Arts

In a separate incident, a 31-year-old from Kitzingen in southern Germany has been prosecuted and is awaiting a prison sentence after calling in a Facebook posting for Merkel and her supporters to be "stood against a wall, court-martialled and shot for treason against the German people".

The Guardian

The thing that needs to be stood against now is the MAN, and those business forces don't listen to polite phrases or rude gestures.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

As Thubron and a busload of Afghans cross into Iran: "We were stood against a wall, as if to be shot, with our baggage at our feet.

The New York Times - Books

Now, if they weren't, and The Observer came in, we'd be stood all against the wall looking angry.

Vice

I am stood jammed against a bike.

The Guardian

He's pro-choice, he opposes discrimination in any form, and he's stood up against anti-immigrant policies".

The New York Times

When someone goes in and takes away your freedoms, the only thing you can do is stand up against them.

Vice

At the outset of the Civil War, Davis realized that intervention from European powers would be vital if the Confederacy was to stand against the Union.

Wikipedia

The protesters do not say, "I want this or that" but simply, "Here we are, we stand against".

The Guardian - Opinion

"I think all of us know how important it is to stand against it whenever it raises its ugly head".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "be stood against" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more common alternatives like "be opposed to" or "stand against" to ensure your message is easily understood.

Common error

The passive construction of "be stood against" can sound unnatural. Instead of saying "the policy was to be stood against", prefer active constructions like "people should stand against the policy" for greater clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be stood against" functions as a passive construction expressing opposition. As Ludwig AI indicates, this is not standard English, therefore other more common alternatives exist such as "be opposed to" or "stand against".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be stood against" technically conveys the idea of opposition or resistance, it's grammatically awkward and not commonly used in standard English. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, it is better to prefer alternatives such as "be opposed to" or "stand against" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness. Although examples can be found in various sources, including news media and online encyclopedias, its infrequent usage suggests it should be avoided in favor of more conventional phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be opposed to

This is a direct and common way of expressing opposition.

stand against

A more active and assertive way of indicating opposition.

be in opposition to

A more formal way to express disagreement or resistance.

be contrary to

Emphasizes a direct conflict or contradiction.

be set against

Suggests a firm and determined opposition.

resist

A concise verb indicating active opposition.

counteract

To act against something in order to reduce its force or neutralize it.

fight against

Emphasizes a struggle or conflict against something.

withstand

To successfully oppose or resist something.

be defiant towards

Show resistance or disobedience.

FAQs

What does "be stood against" mean?

The phrase "be stood against" is an uncommon and somewhat awkward way of expressing opposition. It generally means to be resisted or opposed.

What can I use instead of "be stood against"?

You can use alternatives like "be opposed to", "stand against", or "be in opposition to" depending on the context.

Is "be stood against" grammatically correct?

While the phrase "be stood against" appears in some published sources, it is not considered standard English and can sound awkward. It's better to use more common and grammatically correct alternatives.

How can I improve the clarity of my writing when I want to express opposition?

To improve clarity, use active voice constructions like "stand against" instead of passive forms like "be stood against". This makes your writing more direct and easier to understand.