in defense of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'in defense of' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a statement or argument that is intended to defend or support something or someone. Example sentence: "The lawyer presented a compelling argument in defense of his client's innocence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In defense of the thesaurus.

The New Yorker

Tim Parks in defense of editors.

The New Yorker

IN DEFENSE OF FOOD, by Michael Pollan.

The New York Times

In defense of Poole, the F.A.U.

The New York Times

Goldman spoke in defense of the murder.

The New York Times - Arts

In defense of public service: Union strategy in transition.

Cornell University

In defense of cynicism, and one way out of it.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But he's equally tenacious in defense of terrible ideas.

The New York Times

"In Defense of the Oil Companies, The Washington Postt, September 3 , 1990

Princeton University

(John Cassidy comes out in defense of Snowden).

The New Yorker

Trump's most flagrant what-about, though, was used not in defense of himself, but in defense of Russia.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in defense of" when you want to provide reasoning or justification for a potentially controversial or misunderstood subject. It signals that you intend to offer support or explain the merits of something that might be under attack or questioned.

Common error

Avoid using "in defense of" when simply introducing a topic or expressing a personal preference. Reserve it for situations where you are actively countering criticism or advocating for something that needs justification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in defense of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. It introduces a noun or noun phrase that represents the subject being defended or supported. Ludwig AI shows its use across various contexts, consistently indicating justification or advocacy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

28%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in defense of" is a frequently used prepositional phrase that serves to introduce arguments supporting a potentially controversial or criticized topic. Ludwig AI's analysis highlights its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse sources, primarily in news, academic, and scientific domains. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with its core function of providing justification or advocacy, and remember its register skews towards neutral but can be used in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in support of

Emphasizes active backing or promotion, rather than just providing a justification.

standing up for

Highlights the act of publicly supporting or defending someone or something, especially when they are being criticized or attacked.

in favor of

Indicates a preference or approval, often used when making a choice or decision.

advocating for

Highlights the act of publicly recommending or supporting a particular cause or policy.

arguing for

Focuses on presenting reasons or evidence to persuade others of something's merit.

justifying

Stresses the act of showing something to be right or reasonable.

championing

Implies active and enthusiastic support, often for a cause or person.

upholding

Suggests maintaining or defending something that is already established or valued.

vindicating

Focuses on clearing someone or something of blame or suspicion.

espousing

Emphasizes adopting or embracing a particular belief or principle.

FAQs

How can I use "in defense of" in a sentence?

Use "in defense of" to introduce an argument or explanation that supports something that is being criticized or questioned. For example, "He wrote an article "in defense of the new policy"".

What are some alternatives to "in defense of"?

You can use phrases like "in support of", "arguing for", or "advocating for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "in defense of" or "in the defense of"?

"In defense of" is generally preferred as it is more concise and common. "In the defense of" is grammatically correct but can sound more formal or archaic.

When is it appropriate to use "in defense of"?

Use "in defense of" when you aim to provide reasons or justifications for something that is facing opposition, criticism, or misunderstanding. It's suitable when you want to actively support or explain the merits of a contested subject.