rate against

USAGE SUMMARY

"rate against" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It means to compare or measure one thing against another. Example: The company's sales rate against its competitors has been steadily declining over the past year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's why the rouble rate against the dollar is falling.

The Guardian

Watch the rate against the dollar, rather than the euro.

The Guardian - Business

Trials in 1996 saw a 63% survival rate against just 19% in the control group.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Click here for a hilarious chart tracking the obesity rate against the square footage of homes.

The New York Times

In 1980, the naira had a very favorable exchange rate against the dollar.

The New York Times

The trade was reversed in October at a 16% better rate against the franc.

The Economist

Back in 1975, a graph plotting fertility rate against the HDI fell as the HDI rose.

The Economist

The government sets the shilling's official exchange rate against foreign currencies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Since then, so has the yen's exchange rate against the dollar.

The Economist

This then is the benchmark the background rate against which one can compare modern rates.

Encyclopedia Britannica

United States Army spokesmen have said the Patriot had a 79percentt success rate against Scuds fired at Saudi Arabia and a 40percentt success rate against those fired at Israel.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rate against", ensure the units being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify if you are comparing a currency exchange rate or a success rate in a study.

Common error

Avoid using "rate against" when you intend to show a direct opposition instead of a comparison. For example, don't use it to describe actions taken against someone, where a more direct verb would be appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rate against" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase used to establish a comparative relationship between two quantifiable entities. Ludwig AI confirms its validity through numerous examples across diverse contexts, indicating its widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rate against" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for comparing or measuring one entity against another. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's versatile, appearing in diverse contexts from finance and medicine to general comparisons. Its use is most prevalent in News & Media and Science, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using "rate against", ensure clarity in what you are comparing and consider synonyms like "compare with" or "assess in relation to" for variations. Be mindful not to use it when you intend to express direct opposition rather than comparison. The phrase "rate against" offers a precise way to discuss relative values or performance metrics across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compare with

Focuses on similarities and differences rather than a direct measurement.

assess in relation to

Highlights the act of evaluating something in connection to something else.

measure up to

Emphasizes whether something reaches a certain standard when compared.

weigh against

Implies a careful consideration of opposing factors or standards.

benchmark against

Focuses on comparing performance against a set standard.

contrast with

Highlights the differences between two things.

stack up against

Informal way of asking how something compares to something else.

evaluate with respect to

Implies a formal and structured assessment.

check against

Verifies something against a set criteria.

balance against

Highlights the balancing of different rates or factors.

FAQs

How is "rate against" used in financial contexts?

In finance, "rate against" often refers to currency exchange rates, where one currency's value is compared to another. For example, "the rouble "rate against" the dollar is falling."

Can "rate against" be used to compare success rates?

Yes, "rate against" is used to compare success rates in various fields, such as medicine or sports. An example of this is: "Trials in 1996 saw a 63% survival "rate against" just 19% in the control group."

What are some alternatives to "rate against"?

Alternatives include phrases like "compare with", "assess in relation to", or "measure up to" depending on the specific context.

When is it inappropriate to use "rate against"?

It's inappropriate if you want to indicate direct opposition rather than comparison. In such cases, consider using verbs that directly express opposition or action against something.