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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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multiple defensively

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "multiple defensively" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe various defensive strategies or actions, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The team employed multiple defensively strategies to protect their goal during the match."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We're pretty multiple defensively.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

At Trump's one press conference during the transition — a performance of chilling high dudgeon — he raised her name multiple times, gratuitously, defensively.

News & Media

The New Yorker

In the Finals, Duncan was pitted against Detroit's defensively strong frontcourt anchored by multiple NBA Defensive Player of the Year Ben Wallace.

Defensively, Cooley was a utility player, starting at multiple positions for the Cardinals.

"Defensively, offensively.

* Pack defensively.

News & Media

The New York Times

"Defensively, wow!

2.Plant defensively.

News & Media

The New York Times

He responded defensively.

News & Media

The New York Times

No," Lysander responds defensively.

Certainly not defensively.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing defensive strategies, prioritize clarity and grammatical correctness. Instead of "multiple defensively", opt for phrases like "various defensive strategies" or "diverse defensive approaches".

Common error

Refrain from using adverbs directly after "multiple" when describing defensive actions. The phrase "multiple defensively" is not standard English and can confuse readers. Choose clearer alternatives such as "various defensive measures".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

2.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "multiple defensively" attempts to function as an adverbial modifier describing a defensive approach. However, as noted by Ludwig, this phrasing is grammatically incorrect. Standard English would require a more structured phrase such as "using multiple defensive strategies" to properly convey the intended meaning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "multiple defensively" is considered grammatically incorrect and awkward, according to Ludwig. Although the intention is to convey the use of varied defensive strategies, better alternatives include phrases such as "various defensive strategies" or "diverse defensive approaches". While the phrase appears mostly in news and media contexts, its infrequent and grammatically questionable nature suggests avoiding its use in formal writing. Prioritize clarity and grammatical accuracy by choosing more conventional and understandable alternatives.

FAQs

What does "multiple" mean in the context of defensive strategies?

In the context of defensive strategies, "multiple" suggests a variety or a number of different approaches used for defense. However, it's better to say "various defensive strategies" for clarity.

Is it correct to say "multiple offensively"?

Similar to "multiple defensively", "multiple offensively" is not a standard or grammatically sound phrase. It's more appropriate to use phrases like "various offensive strategies" or "diverse offensive tactics".

Which is a better way to describe a team using different defensive formations, "multiple defensively" or "employing various defensive formations?"

Employing "various defensive formations" is much clearer and grammatically correct. "Multiple defensively" is awkward and doesn't effectively convey the intended meaning.

What are some alternatives to describe a team that is adaptable in its defensive approach?

Instead of "multiple defensively", you could describe the team as having "flexible defensive schemes", using "versatile defensive systems", or being "adaptable defensively".

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Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

2.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: