was balanced against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was balanced against" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a comparison or evaluation of two or more factors, often in a context of weighing pros and cons or assessing trade-offs. Example: "The benefits of the new policy were balanced against the potential costs to the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The "need to search" was balanced "against the invasion which the search..

Cornell University

Her characteristically sweet, high singing was balanced against more strident and cathartic belting.

The New York Times

That was balanced against my grandfather, who watched the Yankees because he loved the center fielder he called Mickey Mendell.

The New York Times - Sports

"The duration of the recovery plan was balanced against the level of investment risk to reach a period suitable for the circumstances of the scheme".

The Guardian - Business

The guilt-ridden father's obsessive quest, over many years, to find his son was balanced against Baptiste's methodical police work in a story that succeeded in both emotional and procedural terms, and declined to offer any gratuitously uplifting resolutions.

The New York Times - Arts

It found that the net benefit of these students was £120m - when direct and indirect spending was balanced against factors such as the cost of students on local health services.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

These two can be balanced against each other.

The Economist

Those risks, he said, have to be balanced against reward.

The New York Times

It has to be balanced against the cost," Nusbaum says.

MIT Technology Review

The purpose of the use may be balanced against the amount and substantiality of the use.

Harvard University

While an additional direct measure could improve accuracy, cost must be balanced against incremental accuracy.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was balanced against" when you want to indicate that two or more factors were carefully considered in relation to each other, often implying a trade-off or compromise. For example, "The potential benefits of the project was balanced against the environmental risks."

Common error

Avoid using "was balanced against" when you simply mean 'compared to'. The phrase implies a deliberate weighing of pros and cons, not just a general comparison. For instance, instead of saying "The cost was balanced against the price of another product," use "The cost was compared to the price of another product" if you're only showing the cost difference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was balanced against" functions as a passive construction indicating that something was assessed or weighed in relation to something else. Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase describes a comparison or evaluation, often implying a trade-off or careful consideration of opposing factors.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

35%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was balanced against" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that two or more factors were carefully considered in relation to each other. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness for conveying comparisons and evaluations. Predominantly used in news, scientific, and academic contexts, it's important to remember this phrase implies a deliberate assessment of trade-offs rather than a simple comparison. Keep this nuance in mind when using "was balanced against" to ensure your writing conveys the intended meaning effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was weighed against

Emphasizes the act of considering the relative importance or impact of different factors.

was considered in relation to

Highlights the act of taking something into account when evaluating something else.

was offset by

Implies that one factor reduces or compensates for another.

was compared with

Focuses on the act of examining the similarities and differences between two things.

was put in perspective with

Suggests that something is being viewed within a broader context to understand its true significance.

was contrasted with

Highlights the differences between two or more factors.

was evaluated alongside

Suggests that two or more things are being assessed simultaneously.

was juxtaposed with

Places two things side by side to emphasize their differences or similarities.

was measured against

Indicates that something is being evaluated against a standard or benchmark.

was counterbalanced by

Suggests that one thing is used to create equilibrium with something else.

FAQs

How can I use "was balanced against" in a sentence?

Use "was balanced against" to show that multiple factors were weighed against each other to reach a decision or understanding. Example: "The need for immediate action "was balanced against" the importance of careful planning."

What's a good alternative to "was balanced against"?

Alternatives include "was weighed against", "was considered in relation to", or "was offset by" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it the same to say "was balanced with" or "was balanced against"?

Not exactly. "Was balanced with" suggests a harmonious or equal distribution, while "was balanced against" implies a more critical comparison where factors are weighed for their relative importance or impact. For example, "The sweetness of the dish "was balanced with" the acidity of the lemon" versus "The cost "was balanced against" the potential benefits".

Can "was balanced against" be used in a positive or negative context?

It can be used in both. The context determines the positive or negative connotation. It simply indicates a weighing of different elements, whether those elements are positive or negative. For instance, "The risks "were balanced against" the potential rewards", or "The advantages "were balanced against" the known limitations".