perform against

USAGE SUMMARY

"perform against" is a grammatical and acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about competing or facing off against an opponent. For example, "The two teams will perform against each other in the semi-finals tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

How did it perform against expectations?

The New York Times - Magazine

The question is, whom will Jones perform against next?

The New York Times - Sports

He's a good one, but he just can't perform against us".

The New York Times - Sports

Now we've got that winning mentality we know we can perform against the best teams".

The Guardian - Sport

Therefore the Lord will perform against Eli all things which he has spoken concerning his house.

The New Yorker

Nadal was the first to perform, against the suitably named Italian Potito Starace.

The Guardian - Sport

It will be interesting to see how the Texans perform against the Falcons next week.

The New York Times

For those players, the N.C.A.A. tournament is an opportunity to perform against top-notch opponents.

The New York Times

Many effects require the actors to perform against a background of previously prepared film.

Encyclopedia Britannica

How the quarterbacks perform against the Ravens' stout defense could go a long way toward helping Ryan make that decision.

The New York Times

Somewhere in Girardi's binder, he has statistics on the Yankees' pitchers and how they perform against every opposing hitter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perform against" when you want to emphasize how something or someone fares when directly compared or in competition with something else. For instance, "How will this new product perform against its main competitor?"

Common error

Avoid using "perform against" when you actually mean to say that something "outperforms" something else. "Perform against" simply indicates a comparison or interaction, not necessarily superior performance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perform against" functions primarily as a verb phrase with a preposition, indicating an action (perform) done in the context of opposition or comparison (against). Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "perform against" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to describe how something or someone fares in comparison or opposition to another entity. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely accepted and employed across various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and scientific reporting. While similar to phrases like "compete with" or "measure up to", "perform against" uniquely emphasizes the act of performing in a comparative setting. Remember to avoid using "perform against" when you specifically mean "outperform", as the former simply denotes a comparison, not necessarily superior performance. Its frequency and presence in authoritative sources underscore its importance in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compete with

Focuses on direct competition between entities.

go up against

Implies facing an opponent or challenge.

contend with

Suggests dealing with difficulties or opposition.

measure up to

Emphasizes comparison against a standard or expectation.

stack up against

Indicates how something compares when put alongside something else.

fare against

Similar to "perform against" but puts emphasis on the outcome.

vie with

Formal way to say compete, often used in the context of vying for something.

pit against

Highlights the act of placing in opposition.

test against

Focuses on evaluating performance through a test or trial.

oppose

Highlights direct resistance or antagonism.

FAQs

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

You can use "perform against" to describe how something or someone competes or fares when compared to something else. For example, "The athlete needs to improve to "compete with" the best in the world".

What are some alternatives to "perform against"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "compete with", "measure up to", or "go up against".

Is it better to say "perform against" or "outperform"?

The choice depends on your meaning. "Perform against" simply means to act in opposition to or be compared with something. "Outperform" means to do better than something else. They are not interchangeable.

What does "perform against" imply?

It implies a comparison or competition between two or more entities, without necessarily indicating who is superior. It's about assessing how something functions in relation to something else.