check against

USAGE SUMMARY

"check against" is a commonly used phrase in written English.
It is usually used to refer to verifying the accuracy of something. For example: "We need to check the list of names against the original document to make sure it's accurate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The amendment is a check against gross misconduct.

The New York Times

He sees live video as a check against police brutality.

The New Yorker

"Disciplines were in place to check against such involvements".

The Guardian

New devices will have to check against the list and stay out of these occupied areas.

The New York Times

Disclosure, which the court counted on as a check against corruption, is scarce.

The New York Times

"Economic incentives," she said, "are the best check against lax underwriting standards".

The New York Times

The Constitution's power split provides a check against Islamists, if they were to win elections.

The New York Times

Many of the management firms took a lump-sum check against a share of future profits.

The New York Times

The provision remains an effective and essential check against widespread voting violations.

The New York Times

The families of four missing passengers had given Estefanos their names to check against the list.

The New Yorker

"Some democratic check against absolute judicial power is needed," he wrote on the Guardian law website.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "check against" when you need to verify information or ensure accuracy by comparing it with a reliable source or standard. For instance, "check your work against the answer key".

Common error

Avoid phrases like "double check against", as "check" already implies a verification process. Using "double check" is redundant and can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "check against" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of verifying or comparing something with a reference point. Ludwig AI shows that it is commonly used to ensure accuracy or compliance, for example, when checking data against a list.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

34%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "check against" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the act of verifying information or ensuring accuracy by comparing it to a reliable source. Ludwig provides numerous examples across diverse domains, indicating its wide applicability. While generally neutral in tone, it is crucial to avoid redundancy, and using "check against" is very frequent, it's always good to keep in mind alternatives such as "verify against" or "validate against". The phrase is frequently observed in news, scientific research and general contexts, emphasizing its role in data validation, procedure accuracy, and ensuring compliance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

verify against

Focuses specifically on confirming the truth or accuracy of something by comparing it with something else.

validate against

Implies confirming the legitimacy or correctness of something by comparing it with established standards or criteria.

compare with

Highlights the act of examining similarities and differences between two or more things.

cross-reference with

Suggests comparing information from different sources to ensure consistency and accuracy.

confirm with

Emphasizes the act of establishing the truth or correctness of something through comparison.

audit against

Refers to a systematic review or assessment to ensure compliance with standards or regulations.

match with

Focuses on finding corresponding or identical items or data points.

test against

Implies assessing the performance or reliability of something by comparing it with a benchmark or standard.

measure against

Suggests evaluating something in relation to a specific criterion or standard.

reconcile with

Highlights the process of making different accounts or pieces of information consistent with each other.

FAQs

How can I use "check against" in a sentence?

You can use "check against" when you want to verify information, like in these examples: "New devices will have to "check against" the list and stay out of these occupied areas" or "Require banks to "check against" a database of known immigration offenders before opening a bank account".

What are some alternatives to "check against"?

Alternatives to "check against" include "verify against", "validate against", or "compare with". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "check against" or should I use another preposition?

The phrase "check against" is correct and commonly used. While other prepositions might work in specific contexts, "against" is generally the most appropriate and idiomatic choice for expressing verification or comparison.

What's the difference between "check against" and "compare to"?

"Check against" implies a verification process, ensuring something matches a known standard or source. "Compare to", on the other hand, focuses on identifying similarities and differences between two items, without necessarily implying a validation purpose.