reproach against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reproach against" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct expression would typically be "reproach for" or "reproach directed at." Example: "She expressed her reproach for his careless behavior during the meeting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"Dancing on the Ceiling" is performed as a reproach against the tenacity of memory itself.

The New York Times

The study was the latest reproach against the official who maintains Congressional buildings and grounds.

The New York Times

On the surface of it, Museveni's opening gamut was pure demagoguery – a jab at the west and an absurd reproach against gay zombies.

The Guardian

In serving their own ends they were serving public ends, while Gould was a negative quantity in the development of the country where he was not an absolutely retarding and destructive quantity.The common term of reproach against an "operator" is that he is a gambler, but it would be very unjust to apply this term to Gould.

The Economist

It may be perfectly true that the failure of the Obama Administration to act sooner in Syria will go down forever, in the historical ledgers, as a reproach against it; or it may be that the wisdom of the Obama Administration in not getting engaged in another futile Middle Eastern folly will go down in its favor.

The New Yorker

When a California judge handed down a $12.5 million false-advertising judgment against the maker of an ephedra-based weight-loss pill late last month, he also issued what amounted to a bill of reproach against the science of dietary supplements.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Sweeping reproaches against 'industry' do not improve matters.

Environmental Sciences Europe

The worst reproach made against him is that he did nothing to discourage the use of the "question prealable", which was the poorest level on which EDC could be decided.

The New Yorker

This joint claim serves as a supporting argument against the reproach of psychologism.

SEP

It counts against Updike that he doesn't reproach the world, or rail against it, but seems content to register it.

The Guardian - Books

Dylan defended Cohen against the familiar critical reproach that his is music to slit your wrists by.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using "reproach for" or "reproach directed at" instead of "reproach against" to ensure grammatical correctness. While some instances of "reproach against" appear in published sources, they are not considered standard usage.

Common error

Avoid using "against" after "reproach". The correct prepositions are "for" or specifying the target with "directed at". For example, instead of "a reproach against his behavior", say "a reproach for his behavior" or "a reproach directed at his behavior".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reproach against" functions as a noun phrase that intends to indicate disapproval or censure directed towards someone or something. Ludwig AI indicates this usage is grammatically non-standard, suggesting more appropriate alternatives such as "reproach for".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "reproach against" appears in some published sources, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect. The preferred alternatives are "reproach for" or "reproach directed at". Although its intent is generally understood, using the grammatically correct options will ensure clarity and professionalism in writing. The contexts where "reproach against" may be encountered are primarily news and media. Therefore, always aim for the alternatives to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reproach for

Uses the correct preposition to follow "reproach".

reproach directed at

Rephrases to specify the target of the reproach.

criticism of

Replaces "reproach" with a more common synonym and uses the correct preposition.

condemnation of

Indicates a strong expression of disapproval.

disapproval of

Indicates a negative judgment or opinion.

accusation of

Shifts the focus to a formal charge or claim.

censure of

Implies a formal expression of disapproval.

blame for

Focuses on assigning responsibility for a fault or wrong.

objection to

Expresses opposition or disagreement.

complaint about

Indicates a statement expressing dissatisfaction.

FAQs

What's the correct way to use "reproach" in a sentence?

Use "reproach for" or "reproach directed at" followed by the reason or the person being reproached. For example, "He expressed his "reproach for" the delay" or "The criticism was a "reproach directed at" the management".

Is it grammatically correct to say "reproach against"?

No, "reproach against" is not considered grammatically correct. The standard usage is "reproach for" or "reproach directed at".

What can I say instead of "reproach against"?

Alternatives include "criticism of", ""reproach for"", or ""reproach directed at"", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "reproach for" and "reproach directed at"?

"Reproach for" is generally used to express blame or disapproval regarding a specific action or situation, while "reproach directed at" specifies the recipient or target of the blame or disapproval. They are often interchangeable, but ""reproach directed at"" is more explicit about who or what is being criticized.