was weighed against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was weighed against" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the evaluation or comparison of one thing in relation to another, often in decision-making contexts. Example: "The proposal was weighed against the budget constraints before a final decision was made."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

But at every turn, overt pressure was weighed against strategic interests.

The New York Times

The girl and the boy ate melon abstractedly while their pleasure was weighed against their safety.

The New Yorker

In a crucial test, the heart of the deceased was weighed against the feather of Maat, goddess of harmony, balance, and truth.

Cornell University

"The shortage of basic foodstuffs was weighed against the terror threat, and the logical decision to open it for a limited amount of time was made with the hope the Palestinians will uphold their commitments," he told Israel radio.

The Guardian

After the deceased had enumerated the many sins he had not committed (the so-called negative confession), the heart was weighed against the feather of Maʿat (i.e., against what was deemed right and true).

Encyclopedia Britannica

This was weighed against the expected chance of a successful outcome of surgery and the potential surgical complications.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The risks were weighed against new realities.

The New York Times

Costs must be weighed against patient outcomes, however.

The New York Times

This should be weighed against the benefits of shareholder activism.

The New York Times

Those fees should be weighed against the tax savings.

The New York Times

Another is that risks have to be weighed against benefits.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was weighed against" when you want to convey that different factors, options, or considerations were carefully assessed and compared before making a decision or reaching a conclusion.

Common error

Avoid using "was weighed against" for basic comparisons where a simple "was compared to" or "was contrasted with" would suffice. "Was weighed against" implies a more deliberate and thoughtful evaluation process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was weighed against" functions as a passive construction indicating a comparative assessment. It is used to convey that something was evaluated in relation to another factor, consideration, or option, typically within a decision-making process. Ludwig provides examples of its use across diverse domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

34%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was weighed against" is a versatile phrase used to describe a comparative evaluation, suitable for a range of contexts from science to news and media. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. It implies careful consideration of multiple factors before reaching a conclusion. While alternatives such as "was compared to" exist, "was weighed against" emphasizes a more deliberate assessment process. Its frequency and authoritative sources make it a reliable choice for expressing thoughtful evaluation in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was balanced against

Replaces "weighed" with "balanced", emphasizing equilibrium between factors.

was considered against

Substitutes "weighed" with "considered", focusing on thoughtful evaluation.

was evaluated against

Replaces "weighed" with "evaluated", highlighting a formal assessment process.

was compared to

Offers a more direct comparison, less emphasis on the decision-making aspect.

was assessed in relation to

Emphasizes the connection and relevance between the assessed elements.

was judged against

Focuses on the act of making a judgment based on a standard.

was measured against

Highlights quantifiable metrics in the comparison process.

was juxtaposed with

Implies placing two things side by side for comparison, often highlighting contrasts.

was contrasted with

Focuses on identifying the differences between two elements.

was set against

Suggests a backdrop or context in which something is being evaluated.

FAQs

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

Use "was weighed against" to indicate that something was evaluated in comparison to something else, often when making a decision. For example, "The benefits of the project "were weighed against" the environmental risks".

What's the difference between "was weighed against" and "was compared to"?

"Was weighed against" suggests a more careful and deliberate evaluation, often involving pros and cons. "Was compared to" is a more general term for noting similarities and differences. The benefits "were weighed against" the risks implies a deeper analysis than simply stating the benefits "were compared to" the risks.

What can I say instead of "was weighed against"?

Alternatives include "was balanced against", "was considered against", or "was evaluated against", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "was weighed against"?

Use it when you want to emphasize that a decision or judgment was made after carefully considering different options or factors, balancing their relative importance or impact. For instance, "The potential benefits "were weighed against" the potential costs".