worked against him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worked against him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone's actions or circumstances have hindered or negatively impacted another person. Example: "His lack of experience in the field ultimately worked against him during the job interview."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The state chairman worked against him.

The New York Times

Sometimes his personality has worked against him.

The Economist

I know what worked against him at the Olympics".

Independent

He worried that his size worked against him.

The New York Times - Sports

"His Stephen King alias worked against him," he said.

Independent

It also seems to have worked against him.

The New York Times

"Circumstances have worked against him, unfortunately for him.

The New York Times - Sports

Martínez's superiority has worked against him, in an odd way.

The New York Times - Sports

However, his poor disciplinary record worked against him.

The Guardian - Sport

Everything I did that worked against everybody else never worked against him.

The New York Times - Sports

But that very facility has at times worked against him when writing music for classical performance.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "worked against him", ensure the context clearly indicates what factors or actions hindered the person's success or progress. Be specific about the cause-and-effect relationship.

Common error

Avoid vague statements when using "worked against him". Clearly specify what circumstances or actions created a disadvantage. For example, instead of saying "circumstances worked against him", specify "the lack of funding worked against him".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worked against him" functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing how a particular factor or situation negatively impacted a male individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is standard and acceptable. Examples in Ludwig show this phrase used in various contexts to indicate hindrance or disadvantage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "worked against him" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe how certain factors have negatively affected an individual. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts. As illustrated by Ludwig's examples, this phrase is frequently found in news reports, sports analyses, and general discussions, indicating a broad applicability. It's crucial to provide specific context to clarify what exactly "worked against him", thus avoiding vague statements. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, more formal alternatives might be suitable for academic or business environments. Ultimately, understanding the nuances of this phrase allows for clear and effective communication about setbacks and challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hindered his progress

Focuses on the obstruction of forward movement or development.

was detrimental to him

Emphasizes the damaging or harmful effect on the person.

proved disadvantageous for him

Highlights the lack of advantage or benefit for the person.

created obstacles for him

Focuses on the barriers or challenges that arose for the person.

undermined his efforts

Suggests a weakening or sabotaging of the person's attempts.

backfired on him

Implies that something intended to help instead harmed him.

did him a disservice

Highlights the negative impact or harm caused.

put him at a disadvantage

Stresses the creation of an unfavorable position or situation.

was counterproductive for him

Indicates that efforts had the opposite of the intended effect.

sabotaged his chances

Emphasizes the destruction of opportunities or possibilities.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "worked against him" to sound more formal?

In a formal context, you can use phrases such as "proved detrimental to him", "hindered his progress", or "placed him at a disadvantage".

What's the difference between "worked against him" and "worked for him"?

"Worked against him" means something hindered or disadvantaged him, while "worked for him" means something aided or benefited him. They are direct opposites.

Is it correct to say "worked against them" instead of "worked against him"?

Yes, "worked against them" is correct when referring to a group of people, while "worked against him" is used for a singular male. The pronoun must agree in number and gender with the subject.

What are some common situations where something might have "worked against him"?

Common situations include professional setbacks (e.g., "his lack of experience worked against him"), political campaigns (e.g., "negative publicity worked against him"), and personal challenges (e.g., "his health issues worked against him").