occur against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "occur against" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward in many contexts.
It can be used when describing events or situations that happen in opposition to something else, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The protests occurred against the new policy changes implemented by the government."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

With many drugs acting in similar ways, resistance can occur against whole classes of drugs.

The Guardian

This can lead to more turnovers than usually occur against more familiar opponents.

Independent

This should occur against the backdrop of debate over the kind of banks we want.

The New York Times

And, yes, all this must occur against the backdrop of debate on financial reform.

The New York Times

While this can occur against both male and female humanitarian workers, it is a particular problem for women.

The Guardian

However, as terrorist acts continued to occur against passenger airliners, security measures gradually became less lax in most jurisdictions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The infraction occurred against Calgary on Thursday night.

The New York Times - Sports

Happily, there is pushback occurring against such anti-intellectualism.

The Guardian - Opinion

All this occurs against a backdrop of rising inequality.

The Guardian

The injury first occurred against Minnesota in early February.

The New York Times - Sports

Two of Marino's top-five yardage games occurred against the Jets.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "occur against", ensure the context clearly indicates a backdrop or opposing force. If the opposition isn't clear, consider using a more direct phrase like "happen in opposition to".

Common error

Avoid using "occur against" when a simpler verb like "happen" or "take place" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "occur against" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the context or opposition in which an event takes place. Examples in Ludwig show it used to describe events happening against a specific background or despite certain conditions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

42%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "occur against" functions to indicate that something happens in a specific context, often one of opposition or contrast. While grammatically sound and commonly used, simpler alternatives may sometimes be more suitable. Ludwig indicates that it's used across various contexts like News & Media and Science. When using "occur against", ensure the context justifies its use and consider whether a more direct phrase would provide greater clarity. Ludwig AI shows that "occur against" is an accepted, although not always the preferred, way to express opposition or backdrop.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

happen in opposition to

Emphasizes direct contradiction or resistance, rather than a simple backdrop.

take place in spite of

Highlights the event occurring despite an opposing force or circumstance.

arise in the face of

Focuses on the emergence of something when confronted by an obstacle.

unfold amidst

Implies a more complex environment where events develop within a specific setting.

transpire within the context of

Formal and emphasizes that the event is understood by reference to another situation.

play out against the background of

Highlights the setting or circumstances surrounding the event.

develop in opposition to

Stresses the progression or growth of something in direct conflict.

come about despite

Emphasizes that an event happened even with an impediment in place.

materialize notwithstanding

Formal and highlights the unexpected appearance of something despite obstacles.

surface in defiance of

Highlights the act of something appearing regardless of a challenge.

FAQs

What does "occur against" mean?

The phrase "occur against" generally means that something happens in the context of or in opposition to something else. It often implies a backdrop or a contrasting element.

What are some alternatives to "occur against"?

You can use alternatives like "happen in opposition to", "take place in spite of", or "play out against the background of" depending on the context.

Is "occur against" formal or informal?

The phrase "occur against" tends to lean toward a more formal register, although it is found in various types of texts. Simpler alternatives might be more appropriate for informal contexts.

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

Consider the context: "The negotiations occurred against a backdrop of political instability." This shows that the negotiations happened while political instability was present as a contrasting or influencing factor.