select against

USAGE SUMMARY

"select against" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to choose or prefer something that goes against or opposes a certain characteristic or trait. Example: The company's hiring process was designed to select against candidates with a lack of experience, favoring those with a strong track record of success.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Thus, fluctuating selection could alternately select against divergent trait values.

Evolutionary Applications

We would then predict size-selective mortality to select against salmon of wild, followed by hybrid origin, while favouring farmed salmon, as mortality increased along our environmental gradient.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

While reduced divergence through introgression might be expected to increase genomic compatibility, selection for hybrid viability should also select against extreme levels of genomic misregulation.

BMC Genomics

Stabilizing selection for an optimum intermediate phenotype would select against individuals with reduced genetic and environmental buffering.

Plosone

However, even when a selective carbon allocation strategy was simulated, high nutrient conditions tended to select against functionally diverse communities.

Evolutionary Applications

In the third step, we artificially select against a portion of the class and the students calculate the selection differential.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

As with any mutation, selection will favour integration sites that enhance the survival of the host, and select against those that impair it.

BMC Genomics

What of the team he will select against Italy?

Independent

Today we seem to actively select against leaders who demonstrate self-awareness.

The Guardian - Books

"But the harsh conditions of the Antarctic probably select against some of these animals".

The New York Times - Science

It will get harder to select against people in these categories not because of tyrannical laws, but because we see so much more joy in their lives.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "select against" when you want to convey that a specific pressure or process actively works to reduce the presence or prevalence of something. For instance, "Natural selection can select against individuals with a genetic predisposition to disease".

Common error

Avoid using "select against" when you mean simply to describe variation within a population without any active pressure. For instance, don't say 'The study selected against different coat colors' when you only mean 'The study observed different coat colors'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "select against" functions as a transitive phrasal verb. According to Ludwig AI, it signifies actively choosing or favoring something that opposes a specific characteristic or trait. It is often used to indicate a process that reduces the prevalence of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

74%

News & Media

19%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "select against" is a versatile phrasal verb that indicates a process or force that reduces the frequency or likelihood of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, noting its specific meaning related to choosing something in opposition to a certain trait. While predominantly used in formal and scientific contexts, it occasionally appears in news and media. It is crucial to use it when describing an active process rather than simply observing variation, and being mindful of the formality level. Alternatives such as "discourage" may be more suitable for informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

choose to oppose

Focuses on the act of making a deliberate choice to oppose something.

reject in favor of

Highlights the act of rejecting something and choosing something else instead.

favor the alternative to

Highlights preferring a different option over something else.

show preference against

Demonstrates a clear bias or partiality in opposition to something.

be predisposed against

Suggests a pre-existing negative inclination towards something.

discriminate against

Emphasizes unfair treatment based on specific characteristics.

act in opposition to

Stresses the action of behaving contrary to something.

lean towards the opposite of

Implies a tendency to prefer the contrary of something.

opt for the inverse of

Indicates choosing the opposite or reverse of something.

veto over

Conveys a formal rejection or prohibition.

FAQs

How can I use "select against" in a sentence about evolution?

In evolutionary biology, you can use "select against" to describe how certain traits become less common over time because they reduce an organism's fitness. For example, "Natural selection can "select against" individuals with mutations that impair their ability to find food".

What's the difference between "select against" and "favor"?

"Select against" means to cause something to become less frequent or less likely, while "favor" means to cause something to become more frequent or more likely. In natural selection, the environment might "select against" a certain trait while simultaneously "favor" another.

Is it appropriate to use "select against" in a formal setting?

Yes, "select against" is appropriate for formal settings, especially in scientific or technical writing. It's a precise term that clearly conveys the idea of a force reducing the prevalence of something. However, ensure the context is suitable; it might sound overly technical in general conversation.

What are some alternatives to "select against" in less formal contexts?

In less formal settings, you might consider using alternatives like "discourage", "reduce", or "work against". For example, instead of saying "The program "selects against" certain applicants", you could say "The program tends to "discourage" certain applicants".