fighting established

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fighting established" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe a struggle against established norms or systems, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "The activists are fighting established practices that harm the environment."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The equivalent for Internet entrepreneurs is a rhetoric of fighting established interests on behalf of ordinary people.

The New Yorker

Long the political outsider fighting established officials, the 45-year-old assemblyman is now the incumbent who regularly bombards district residents with mailings chock full of news of his stewardship.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But at least I can think about how to approach it, and what language to use in addressing this misconception about opera — which has historically been a subversive medium, fighting the established social order rather than reinforcing it.

The New York Times - Arts

"Now you sort of think, 'Well, of course, you would do that,' but at the time John was really fighting an established way of thinking," said Maria Tikoff Vargas, who led the brand management of Energy Star for 15 years and is now the director of the Energy Department's Better Buildings Challenge, which encourages energy efficiency in commercial and industrial buildings.

The New York Times

"They were fighting to establish an Islamic state," MacBride said.

The New Yorker

Boko Haram, inspired by the Taliban, says it is fighting to establish an Islamic state.

The Guardian

"It is an armed terrorist group fighting to establish an Islamic state in Syria.

Independent

Police officers typically will separate the people fighting and establish separate stories, he said.

The New York Times

The years we spent fighting to establish Ryan's innocence all seemed lighter and more driven after that.

The Guardian - Opinion

According to Thai army sources, the Wang attackers were members of a group fighting to establish democracy and restore the monarchy.

The Economist

The soldiers belong to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (Milf), an Islamic separatist group that is fighting to establish a separate country in western Mindanao.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing opposition to existing systems, be specific about what is being fought. Instead of "fighting established", clarify the object of the fight, such as "fighting established practices" or "fighting established interests".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase as is, as it lacks clarity. Always provide context or modify it to make it more precise and understandable, specifying what exactly is being "fought".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fighting established" functions as a verb phrase aiming to describe an action against something that is already in place. However, as Ludwig AI points out, the phrase lacks clarity. Examples provided use variations like "fighting established interests" or "fighting an established way of thinking", which are more precise.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "fighting established" appears in some contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect and lacks a clear, standard meaning. Ludwig AI underscores this point. When you want to convey the idea of opposing or challenging existing systems, it is best to use more precise and common alternatives, such as "challenging the status quo" or "opposing established norms". These alternatives provide greater clarity and are less likely to be misinterpreted. Most usage examples are in news media, but due to its issues it's better to look for alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging the status quo

This alternative describes a general opposition to existing conditions or norms.

opposing established norms

This option specifically targets norms that are already in place and widely accepted.

resisting the establishment

This refers to actively resisting the group or system in power.

fighting the system

This alternative suggests a broader conflict against an oppressive or unfair system.

contesting established authority

This phrase indicates a challenge to those who hold power or influence.

defying conventional wisdom

This implies acting against what is commonly believed or accepted as true.

questioning established practices

This alternative focuses on scrutinizing and potentially changing existing routines or customs.

rebelling against tradition

This suggests a revolt against long-standing customs or beliefs.

bucking the trend

This implies going against a current popular direction or behavior.

disrupting established order

This refers to causing chaos or upheaval in an existing stable arrangement.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "fighting established"?

Consider using phrases like "challenging the status quo", "opposing established norms", or "resisting the establishment" for clearer communication.

How can I make "fighting established" more specific in my writing?

Specify what is being fought. For example, use "fighting established interests", "fighting established practices", or "fighting established authority" to provide more context.

Is "fighting established" considered formal or informal language?

Given its grammatical awkwardness, "fighting established" is not suitable for formal writing. Opt for more precise and grammatically correct alternatives in professional or academic contexts.

What's the difference between "fighting established" and "challenging the status quo"?

"Fighting established" is a less conventional and somewhat unclear phrase. "Challenging the status quo" is a more widely recognized and grammatically sound way to express opposition to existing norms.