counter each other

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "counter each other" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe two or more entities that oppose or negate each other's effects or actions. Example: "The two theories seem to counter each other, making it difficult to determine which one is more accurate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Note the importance of including both variables in the analysis since we claim that social remittances and financial remittances may have effects that counter each other.

Comparative Migration Studies

Do both complement or counter each other for the benefit of the organism?

BioMed Research International

Indeed, they appear to have opposite effects and actually counter each other in their transcriptional regulatory roles.

Animal

Increasing the window size in the upstream and downstream region at the same time causes the sensitivity and specificity rates to counter each other.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Ambrose's Arrival The two agile superstars put on a strong show as they countered each other's moves all over the ring.

Independent

Late in the Cold War standoff, the Warsaw Pact and NATO alliances countered each other's numerous armoured divisions in central Europe with the Soviet Su-25 and the U.S. A-10A respectively, which were designed to approach tank formations at treetop level before popping up to attack with guided missiles and rotary cannon.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Federer and Tsonga came to the net more than 100 times between them on a court that, by consensus, is playing slightly quicker than last year, and though the rhythm was often choppy, the shot-making was often spectacular as both men countered each other's frequent attacks.

The New York Times - Sports

He said that many articles "countered each other" and don't depict the reality.

TechCrunch

The early going of the match was slow-paced, in which both superstars countered each other's maneuvers.

Wikipedia

The Chinese government is no monolith, and many departments and organisations can pursue policies counter to each other".

The Guardian - Business

Earlier that night, a friend had taken a picture of us sitting at a counter facing each other, his hands extended to me and mine over my mouth, our eyes disappearing into our smiles.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "counter each other" when describing a reciprocal action where two or more forces, arguments, or entities directly oppose or neutralize each other's effects. Ensure the context clearly establishes the opposing nature of the relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "counter each other" when the relationship is not truly reciprocal. If one entity is simply acting independently without direct opposition from another, a different phrase like "act independently" or "operate separately" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "counter each other" functions as a reciprocal verb phrase, indicating that two or more entities perform actions that oppose or negate each other. Ludwig examples show its usage in scientific and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "counter each other" is a reciprocal verb phrase used to describe opposing or negating actions between two or more entities. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including science, news, and formal business settings. While "counter each other" is useful for illustrating direct opposition, other phrases like "oppose one another" or "offset each other" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the intended meaning. Be careful to ensure the relationship is truly reciprocal to avoid misapplication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

counteract each other

Similar to the original phrase but places more emphasis on the action of countering.

oppose one another

Emphasizes direct opposition between entities.

negate each other

Focuses on the nullifying effect that entities have on one another.

run counter to each other

Suggests a fundamental opposition or divergence.

offset each other

Highlights a balancing or canceling effect between entities.

neutralize each other

Highlights the action of making each other ineffective or harmless.

clash with each other

Implies a more forceful or conflicting interaction.

work against each other

Describes entities that hinder each other's progress or goals.

undermine each other

Describes a subtle or gradual weakening effect.

invalidate each other

Stresses the removal of validity between entities.

FAQs

How can I use "counter each other" in a sentence?

The phrase "counter each other" is used to describe situations where two or more things oppose or negate each other's effects. For example, "The social and financial remittances may "counter each other"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "counter each other"?

You can use alternatives such as "oppose one another", "negate each other", or "offset each other" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "counterbalance each other" instead of "counter each other"?

While both phrases convey a sense of opposition, "counterbalance each other" implies a more equalizing or stabilizing effect. Use "counterbalance each other" when the entities are creating equilibrium rather than simply opposing each other.

How does "counter each other" differ from "complement each other"?

"Counter each other" indicates opposition, while "complement each other" suggests that two things enhance or complete one another. These phrases have nearly opposite meanings. To say that two things "complement each other" means they work well together.