to guard against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to guard against" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing measures taken to prevent or protect oneself from potential risks or dangers. Example: "The company implemented new security protocols to guard against data breaches."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Government needs to guard against their malfeasance.

The New York Times - Health

They also try to guard against abuses.

The New York Times

We have to guard against this".

Independent

To guard against trouble with the carburetor.

The New Yorker

"You have to guard against that.

The New York Times - Sports

We have to guard against that.

The New York Times - Sports

This is to guard against that.

The New York Times - Sports

Arsenal had to guard against it.

The Guardian - Sport

The Times will want to guard against this drift.

The New York Times

Romney may be able to guard against ideological overreach.

The New York Times

Nishikori also has to guard against staying too far back.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to guard against" when you want to emphasize proactive measures taken to avert a potential negative outcome. It's stronger than simply "to avoid" and suggests a deliberate strategy.

Common error

Avoid using "to guard against" in overly passive constructions that obscure who is taking the protective action. Instead of "Measures need to be taken to guard against...", specify "The company must implement measures to guard against...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to guard against" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose or intention. It indicates the reason for taking a specific action, which is to prevent or protect against something undesirable. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

27%

Sports

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to guard against" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to convey the intent to prevent or protect against potential risks. Predominantly featured in News & Media and Scientific contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for a broad audience. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correctly used and serves to highlight proactive measures taken to mitigate potential negative outcomes. Consider using alternatives like "to protect from" or "to defend against" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to protect from

Focuses on shielding from harm or negative effects.

to defend against

Emphasizes resistance against an attack or threat.

to shield from

Suggests creating a barrier for protection.

to prevent

Highlights stopping something from happening altogether.

to take precautions against

Emphasizes acting in advance to avoid potential issues.

to be on the lookout for

Suggests vigilance and readiness to spot potential dangers.

to be wary of

Highlights cautiousness and suspicion towards something.

to forestall

Focuses on acting in advance to prevent something.

to mitigate

Suggests reducing the severity or impact of something.

to circumvent

Highlights finding a way around a potential problem.

FAQs

How can I use "to guard against" in a sentence?

Use "to guard against" to indicate actions taken to prevent or protect from something negative. For example, "The company implemented new security protocols to guard against data breaches."

What are some alternatives to "to guard against"?

You can use alternatives like "to protect from", "to defend against", or "to shield from" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "to guard against" formal or informal?

"To guard against" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile phrase for various types of writing and speech.

What's the difference between "to guard against" and "to avoid"?

"To guard against" implies proactive measures and potential threats, while "to avoid" generally refers to steering clear of something without necessarily implying a specific threat or defensive action.