combined against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "combined against" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two or more entities are united in opposition to a common adversary or challenge. Example: "The two teams were combined against their rival to create a stronger force for the championship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Germany always did well for a while, until everyone combined against her.

The Guardian

Murray threw one touchdown pass with four interceptions combined against Florida and South Carolina.

The New York Times - Sports

The Conservative Party thus became a union of old Tory and Liberal interests combined against Labour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Their main enemies were the Aramaeans, the Semitic Bedouin nomads whose many small states often combined against the Assyrians.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His 26 points combined against the Heat and at Orlando the night before doubled his season total.

The New York Times - Sports

The Phillies are 9-2 combined against the Marlins (8-22) and the Mets (12-15) but 5-14 against other teams.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

At any other given moment these two proud sporting nations may well combine against the rest.

The Guardian - Sport

It is not a card the mainstream can play forever, combining against the radical left and right, recycling familiar faces.

The Guardian

The team's head coach, Shane Sutton, fears that some of the other riders may well combine against the British pair.

The Guardian - Sport

In Canada, the ethnic differences between the two largest and richest provinces have prevented them from combining against the others.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Penguin books are splendid value for sixpence, so splendid that if the other publishers had any sense they would combine against them and suppress them".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "combined against" to clearly indicate a situation where multiple entities or elements are intentionally united to counteract or oppose a specific force or challenge. For example, "Several nations combined against the invading army."

Common error

Avoid using "combined against" when simply describing separate entities acting independently but towards the same end. Use phrases like "acting separately against" or "independently opposing" to more accurately reflect the lack of collaboration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "combined against" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier. It describes how different entities act in unison to counter or oppose something. Ludwig AI examples show its usage across diverse contexts, denoting coordinated resistance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "combined against" is a valid and commonly used prepositional phrase that denotes a unified opposition or resistance. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct. Appearing most frequently in news, science, and encyclopedia contexts, it maintains a generally neutral tone. When employing the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a conscious and intentional unification of forces. Alternatives such as ""united against"" or "allied against" may offer nuanced substitutes depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

united against

Focuses on the act of joining together in opposition, removing the implication of a prior combination of elements.

allied against

Suggests a more formal agreement or alliance for the purpose of opposing something.

in opposition to

Highlights the state of being opposed, rather than the act of combining forces.

banding together against

Emphasizes the collaborative effort of forming a group to resist something.

joining forces against

Highlights the act of combining strength and resources to counter a threat or opponent.

cooperating to resist

Emphasizes the aspect of active cooperation in order to withstand something.

working together to oppose

Underscores the collaborative nature of the effort to counteract or prevent something.

acting in concert against

Implies a coordinated and harmonious effort to oppose something.

in league against

Suggests a secret or conspiratorial agreement to oppose something.

standing united against

Focuses on the steadfastness and solidarity in opposing something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "combined against" is used to describe a situation where multiple entities or forces unite to oppose a common adversary. For example: "The allied nations "united against" the aggressor."

What are some alternatives to "combined against"?

Alternatives include phrases such as ""united against"", "allied against", or "in opposition to", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "combined against" or "united against"?

Both "combined against" and ""united against"" are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. "Combined against" implies a prior existing state that has now been combined, while ""united against"" simply refers to a state of unity in opposition.

When is it inappropriate to use "combined against"?

It's inappropriate to use "combined against" if the entities are not consciously and intentionally working together. If they are acting independently toward a common goal, phrases like "acting separately" or "independently opposing" might be more accurate.