protecting against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "protecting against" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a measure or action taken to guard against a potential risk or harm. For example, "The company has taken steps to protect against cyber-attacks."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Protecting against cognitive biases.

Nature

So what was Collins protecting against?

The New York Times

And what about protecting against idea theft?

The Guardian

"We're protecting against what we have become".

The New York Times - Arts

Rule 8 accommodates these interests while protecting against prejudicial joinder.

Cornell University

Generally, one only needs to consider protecting against indirect contact.

Practical Power System Protection

That's an odd harm to be protecting against".

The New York Times

Insurance is supposed to be about protecting against risk.

The New York Times

But protecting against accident is not the same as protecting against a deliberate invasion, Mr. Chalos said.

The New York Times

Genetically encoded repair program protecting against DNA damage.

Nature

Addresses the importance of protecting against and managing employee defections.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "protecting against", ensure the object you are protecting from is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what you are protecting against, such as "protecting against data breaches" rather than simply "protecting against risks".

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions that obscure the actor doing the protecting. Instead of "measures are being taken for protecting against...", opt for "the company is taking measures to protect against...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "protecting against" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used as part of a verb phrase. It specifies the action of safeguarding or defending from a potential threat or harm. Ludwig examples illustrate this use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

27%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "protecting against" is a frequently used prepositional phrase that signifies taking measures to prevent harm or risk. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability across various domains, notably science, news, and academia. While its register leans towards formal, its core meaning remains consistent: emphasizing preventive action. To ensure clarity, specify what you are protecting against. Alternatives like "guarding against" or "shielding from" can offer nuanced emphasis depending on the intended context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guarding against

Similar in meaning, emphasizing vigilance and defense.

defending against

Focuses on actively shielding from an attack or threat.

shielding from

Implies creating a barrier to prevent harm.

safeguarding from

Highlights the act of ensuring safety and security.

preventing

A more general term for stopping something from happening.

averting

Suggests turning away or avoiding a negative outcome.

counteracting

Emphasizes acting against something to neutralize its effects.

mitigating

Focuses on reducing the severity or impact of something.

insulating from

Implies creating a buffer to reduce impact or exposure.

warding off

Suggests repelling or deflecting something harmful.

FAQs

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

You can use "protecting against" to describe actions taken to prevent harm or damage, as in "The new firewall is essential for "protecting against cyber attacks"".

What are some alternatives to "protecting against"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "guarding against", "shielding from", or "defending against" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "protecting against" or "protecting from"?

Both "protecting against" and "protecting from" are grammatically correct, but "protecting against" is often preferred when referring to threats or risks, while "protecting from" may be used for more general harm or discomfort. The choice often depends on the specific context.

What does "protecting against" imply?

"Protecting against" implies taking proactive measures to prevent something negative from occurring, such as "protecting against fraud" or "protecting against viruses". It emphasizes prevention and defense.