on the backdrop of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'on the backdrop of' is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe the context in which something is happening. For example: On the backdrop of increasingly warming temperatures, the city council debated potential climate change policies.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

They've been standing up, instead, after the projection of a supersize photo on the backdrop of the stage.

The New York Times

There, on the front of the Wasatch Range, pyramid peaks cut a sharp silhouette on the backdrop of blue.

The New York Times - Travel

"I would have to assume that their policies are not reviewed, because if they are reviewed on the backdrop of the law then they have to be changed".

The New York Times

The director Jim Simpson, a longtime Gurney enthusiast, offers a few stylistic eccentricities: the stage directions appear as typewritten letters on the backdrop of Michael Yeargan's set, and a percussionist provides sound effects in the manner of Japanese drama.

The New Yorker

With all the current news of rebellion and revolution in Istanbul, it was good to see something positive, especially as the designers often found inspiration in Turkish roots, with snatches of history projected on the backdrop of the imaginative installation.

The New York Times

Equally popular in the Malayalam region is the 18th-century folk poet of tuḷḷals (a song-dance form), Kuñcan Nampiyār, unparalleled for his wit and exuberance, his satiric sketches of caste types, his versions of Sanskrit Purāṇa narratives projected on the backdrop of Kerala, and his humorous renderings even of mythic characters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

During a televised concert at Earls Court on 20 October 1994, someone projected the word "enigma" in large letters on to the backdrop of the stage.

Wikipedia

During a televised concert at Earls Court in October 1994, the word enigma was projected in large letters on to the backdrop of the stage.

Wikipedia

With the campaigns gaining momentum ahead of crucial talks between David Cameron and EU leaders next month, both camps are expecting the debate to centre on the economy and on immigration, against the backdrop of Europe's mounting refugee crisis.

Independent

Jeff Chu was married last September, on the lawn of a house on Cape Cod, against the backdrop of an ivy-covered fence.

The New York Times

Contribute with Guardian Witness Barack Obama delivered one of the most poignant speeches of his presidency on Saturday, using the backdrop of Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge to call for an end to the discrimination he said still casts "a long shadow" over America.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the backdrop of" to clearly establish the surrounding conditions or context in which an event or situation occurs. It helps create a sense of setting or circumstance.

Common error

Avoid using "on the backdrop of" when simpler prepositions like "in" or "during" would suffice. Overusing complex phrases can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the backdrop of" functions as a prepositional phrase, setting the context or circumstances for an event or situation. It acts as an adverbial modifier, providing background information. Examples from Ludwig show how it is used to describe the environment in which something occurs.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on the backdrop of" is a prepositional phrase used to establish the context or circumstances surrounding an event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its common use across various domains, including news, science, and formal business communication. While generally appropriate, avoid overusing it in simple contexts where shorter phrases would suffice. Alternatives such as "against the background of" or "in the context of" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

against the background of

Replaces 'backdrop' with 'background', a very close synonym, maintains the preposition 'against' for emphasis.

in the context of

Focuses on the circumstances or situation, replacing 'backdrop' with 'context'.

within the framework of

Emphasizes a structured environment or set of rules, rather than a visual background.

in light of

Highlights the influence of certain information or events.

considering

Offers a more direct way to introduce factors being taken into account.

given

Similar to 'considering' but may imply a more established or well-known context.

taking into account

Directly references the act of considering certain factors.

considering the circumstances

Expands on 'considering' to explicitly mention the surrounding conditions.

with respect to

Highlights the relevance of a specific factor to the overall situation.

relative to

Indicates that something is being evaluated or understood in relation to something else.

FAQs

How can I use "on the backdrop of" in a sentence?

Use "on the backdrop of" to introduce the circumstances or context against which something is happening. For instance, "The negotiations took place on the backdrop of rising tensions."

What are some alternatives to "on the backdrop of"?

You can use alternatives like "against the background of", "in the context of", or "in light of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "on the backdrop of", or are there simpler options?

No, it's not always necessary. In many cases, simpler prepositions like "in" or "during" can effectively convey the same meaning without sounding overly formal. Choose the phrasing that best suits the tone and clarity of your writing.

What is the difference between "on the backdrop of" and "against the backdrop of"?

While both phrases are similar, "against the backdrop of" often implies a more contrasting or conflicting relationship between the background and the main event, whereas "on the backdrop of" simply sets the scene or context.