Mastering “Against”: Sentence Examples and Usage Guide

The preposition “against” is a versatile word in the English language, conveying a range of meanings from opposition and contact to protection and background. Understanding its nuances is crucial for clear and effective communication. This article provides a comprehensive guide to using “against” correctly, offering numerous examples, usage rules, and practice exercises. Whether you’re an ESL learner, a student preparing for exams, or simply someone looking to refine their English skills, this guide will help you master the preposition “against”.

This article is designed to be accessible to learners of all levels, breaking down complex grammatical concepts into understandable parts. By the end of this guide, you will have a solid understanding of how to use “against” in various contexts, avoiding common mistakes and enhancing your overall fluency.

Table of Contents

1. Definition of “Against”
2. Structural Breakdown
3. Types and Categories of Usage
   • Opposition and Resistance
   • Physical Contact and Support
   • Protection and Defense
   • Background and Contrast
   • Comparison and Evaluation
   • Preparation and Planning
4. Examples
   • Examples of Opposition and Resistance
   • Examples of Physical Contact and Support
   • Examples of Protection and Defense
   • Examples of Background and Contrast
   • Examples of Comparison and Evaluation
   • Examples of Preparation and Planning
5. Usage Rules
6. Common Mistakes
7. Practice Exercises
8. Advanced Topics
9. FAQ
10. Conclusion

Definition of “Against”

“Against” is a preposition that indicates opposition, contact, protection, background, or comparison. It describes a relationship between two or more entities, often involving force, resistance, or contrast. Understanding the specific context is key to interpreting the meaning of “against” correctly. It is a crucial component of English grammar, used to express complex relationships and ideas within sentences.

As a preposition, “against” always precedes a noun or pronoun (its object). The prepositional phrase (“against” + object) then modifies another word in the sentence, usually a verb, noun, or adjective. The specific meaning of “against” depends heavily on the verb and noun it interacts with.

Structural Breakdown

The basic structure involving “against” is:

Subject + Verb + Against + Object

Here’s a breakdown:

• Subject: The person or thing performing the action.
• Verb: The action being performed. The verb often dictates the specific meaning of “against”.
• Against: The preposition itself, indicating a relationship.
• Object: The noun or pronoun that “against” refers to. This is what the action is directed towards, what is being opposed, what is being leaned on, etc.

For example, in the sentence “The waves crashed against the shore,” the subject is “the waves,” the verb is “crashed,” the preposition is “against,” and the object is “the shore.” The prepositional phrase “against the shore” modifies the verb “crashed,” indicating where the waves crashed.

The word order is generally consistent: “against” always comes before its object. However, the entire prepositional phrase (“against” + object) can sometimes be moved within the sentence for emphasis or stylistic variation, though this is less common.

Types and Categories of Usage

The preposition “against” can be broadly categorized into several key uses, each with subtle variations in meaning. These categories are not mutually exclusive, and the specific meaning often depends on the context of the sentence.

Opposition and Resistance

This is one of the most common uses of “against.” It indicates disagreement, conflict, or resistance towards something or someone. It often implies a struggle or a difference in opinion.

Physical Contact and Support

This usage describes physical contact or support, often involving leaning or pressing on something. It can also describe something being placed in close proximity to something else.

Protection and Defense

“Against” can indicate protection or defense from something harmful or undesirable. It suggests a barrier or safeguard against potential threats.

Background and Contrast

In this context, “against” is used to create a contrast or to provide a background for something else. It helps to highlight the features of one element by placing it in relation to another.

Comparison and Evaluation

This usage involves comparing or evaluating something in relation to a standard or expectation. It often implies a judgment or assessment.

Preparation and Planning

In some cases, “against” can be used to indicate preparation or planning for a future event or possibility, particularly negative ones.

Examples

The following sections provide extensive examples of how “against” is used in various contexts. Each section corresponds to one of the categories discussed above, with multiple examples to illustrate the nuances of each usage.

Examples of Opposition and Resistance

These examples illustrate how “against” is used to express disagreement, conflict, or resistance.

The table below provides a range of sentence examples that use “against” to indicate opposition and resistance. Notice how the verbs and nouns used with “against” contribute to the specific meaning.

No.	Sentence	Explanation
1	The protesters marched against the war.	Expresses opposition to the war.
2	She argued against the proposal.	Indicates disagreement with the proposal.
3	He voted against the new law.	Shows opposition to the new law through voting.
4	They fought against the invading army.	Describes resistance against an enemy force.
5	The company is battling against bankruptcy.	Indicates a struggle to avoid bankruptcy.
6	She struggled against the wind.	Describes a physical struggle against the force of the wind.
7	He rebelled against the strict rules.	Shows defiance against the established rules.
8	The lawyer argued against the prosecution’s case.	Indicates opposition to the legal arguments of the prosecution.
9	Many people are campaigning against the construction of the new airport.	Expresses active opposition to the construction project.
10	The team played against their rivals.	Describes a competitive match against another team.
11	She is running against the incumbent in the election.	Indicates she is competing for the same position.
12	The community rallied against the proposed development.	Shows unified opposition to the development plan.
13	He stood against the wall.	This is an example of physical contact.
14	The dam protects the town against flooding.	This is an example of protection.
15	Her bright dress stood out against the dark background.	This is an example of background.
16	His performance was judged against the high standards.	This is an example of comparison.
17	They are saving money against a rainy day.	This is an example of preparation.
18	The evidence spoke against his innocence.	The evidence suggested he was not innocent.
19	She has prejudice against people from that country.	She holds negative biases against people from that specific country.
20	The old system is struggling against the new one.	The old system is facing challenges in competing with the new one.
21	He is fighting against his own demons.	He is struggling with his internal problems or challenges.
22	Public opinion is strongly against the new policy.	Most people disagree with or oppose the new policy.
23	The athlete competed against the best in the world.	The athlete participated in a competition against top-level athletes.
24	The company is defending itself against the lawsuit.	The company is taking legal action to protect itself from the lawsuit.
25	The doctor advised against the surgery.	The doctor recommended not having the surgery.
26	The city is preparing against the hurricane.	The city is making preparations to minimize damage from the hurricane.

Examples of Physical Contact and Support

These examples demonstrate how “against” indicates physical contact or support.

The following table provides examples where “against” describes physical contact or support. Note the physical interaction or position being described.

No.	Sentence	Explanation
1	He leaned against the wall.	Describes someone using the wall for support.
2	The ladder was placed against the house.	Indicates the ladder’s position in contact with the house.
3	She pressed her ear against the door.	Describes physical contact for the purpose of listening.
4	The boat bumped against the dock.	Indicates a collision between the boat and the dock.
5	The picture is hanging against the blue wallpaper.	Describes the picture’s position relative to the wallpaper.
6	The children huddled against each other for warmth.	Indicates close physical contact for warmth.
7	The car skidded against the guardrail.	Describes a collision between the car and the guardrail.
8	He rested his head against the pillow.	Indicates physical contact for comfort.
9	The book was lying against the other books on the shelf.	Describes the book’s position on the shelf.
10	The rain was beating against the windows.	Indicates physical contact of the rain with the windows.
11	The climber secured the rope against the rock face.	The rope was placed firmly in contact with the rock.
12	She propped the door against a chair.	The door was supported by the chair.
13	The painting looks beautiful against the white wall.	This is an example of background.
14	They are preparing against potential problems.	This is an example of preparation.
15	He argued against the proposal.	This is an example of opposition.
16	The shield protected the knight against the dragon’s fire.	This is an example of protection.
17	His performance was judged against the best in the world.	This is an example of comparison.
18	The cat rubbed against my leg.	The cat made physical contact with my leg.
19	The waves crashed against the rocks.	The waves collided with the rocks.
20	The poster was glued against the wall.	The poster was affixed to the wall.
21	He braced himself against the impact.	He prepared himself for a collision.
22	The sculpture was set against the backdrop of the mountains.	The sculpture was positioned with the mountains in the background.
23	The wind howled against the building.	The wind blew strongly, making contact with the building.
24	The tires screeched against the pavement.	The tires made a loud noise while in contact with the pavement.

Examples of Protection and Defense

These examples illustrate the use of “against” to indicate protection or defense from harm.

The table below shows examples of “against” used to denote protection or defense. Notice how “against” links the subject with the threat being guarded against.

No.	Sentence	Explanation
1	The sunscreen protects against sunburn.	Indicates that sunscreen provides protection from sunburn.
2	The vaccine protects against the flu.	Shows that the vaccine provides immunity against the flu.
3	The insurance policy protects against theft.	Describes the policy’s coverage against theft.
4	The soldiers defended the city against the enemy.	Indicates protection of the city from the enemy.
5	The company has safeguards against fraud.	Describes the measures in place to prevent fraud.
6	She wore a mask against the pollution.	Indicates protection from air pollution.
7	The umbrella shielded her against the rain.	Describes protection from the rain provided by the umbrella.
8	The law protects citizens against discrimination.	Indicates legal protection against discrimination.
9	They built a wall against the rising sea levels.	Describes a barrier built to protect against rising sea levels.
10	He fortified his house against intruders.	Indicates strengthening the house to prevent intruders.
11	The company took measures against potential losses.	Actions were taken to prevent financial losses.
12	The government is preparing against cyber attacks.	The government is setting up defense against cyber attacks.
13	He leaned against the wall.	This is an example of physical contact.
14	His performance was judged against the best in the world.	This is an example of comparison.
15	They are saving money against a rainy day.	This is an example of preparation.
16	She argued against the plan.	This is an example of opposition.
17	The bright colors stood out against the dark background.	This is an example of background.
18	The insurance protects against damage.	The insurance covers damage.
19	She is guarding against making any mistakes.	She is being careful to avoid errors.
20	The country has defenses against missile attacks.	The country has systems to protect against missile attacks.
21	The treaty is designed to protect against future conflicts.	The treaty aims to prevent future conflicts.
22	The medication helps protect against infection.	The medication helps prevent infection.
23	The program is designed to safeguard against data loss.	The program is intended to prevent data loss.

Examples of Background and Contrast

These examples show how “against” is used to create a contrast or provide a background.

The following table illustrates how “against” can be used to provide a background or create a contrast. Note how “against” positions one element in relation to another to highlight differences or context.

No.	Sentence	Explanation
1	The white letters stood out against the black background.	Indicates a visual contrast between the letters and the background.
2	The dark wood looked elegant against the light walls.	Describes a contrast in color between the wood and the walls.
3	The green grass contrasted against the grey sky.	Indicates a color contrast between the grass and the sky.
4	The old building stood against a backdrop of modern skyscrapers.	Describes the old building in contrast with the modern buildings.
5	Her cheerful voice sounded strange against the somber atmosphere.	Indicates a contrast between her voice and the atmosphere.
6	The single tree was silhouetted against the setting sun.	Describes the tree’s silhouette against the background of the sun.
7	The painting looked stunning against the brick wall.	Describes the painting’s appearance in relation to the wall.
8	The red flowers popped against the green foliage.	Indicates a strong color contrast between the flowers and the foliage.
9	The ancient ruins were set against the clear blue sky.	Describes the ruins in contrast with the sky.
10	The sound of laughter echoed against the silence.	Indicates a contrast between the sound and the silence.
11	His dark hair contrasted sharply against his pale skin.	Describes the contrast in color between his hair and skin.
12	The modern furniture looked out of place against the antique wallpaper.	The contrasting styles of furniture and wallpaper clashed.
13	He leaned against the wall.	This is an example of physical contact.
14	They are saving money against a rainy day.	This is an example of preparation.
15	She argued against the proposal.	This is an example of opposition.
16	The dam protects the town against flooding.	This is an example of protection.
17	His performance was judged against the best in the world.	This is an example of comparison.
18	The snow looked pristine against the brown earth.	The snow’s purity was highlighted by the earth’s color.
19	The castle stood majestically against the horizon.	The castle’s grandeur was emphasized by the horizon.
20	The new building clashed against the old architecture.	There was an aesthetic conflict between the new and old buildings.

Examples of Comparison and Evaluation

These examples show how “against” is used in comparisons and evaluations.

The table below presents examples of “against” used for comparison or evaluation. Note how “against” sets a standard or benchmark for assessment.

No.	Sentence	Explanation
1	His performance was judged against the highest standards.	Indicates that his performance was evaluated based on strict criteria.
2	The company’s profits were compared against last year’s results.	Describes a comparison of current profits with previous results.
3	The student’s progress was measured against the school’s expectations.	Indicates an assessment of the student’s progress based on school standards.
4	The athlete competed against the best in the world.	Describes competition against top-level athletes.
5	The new product was tested against its competitors.	Indicates a comparison of the new product with competing products.
6	The candidate’s qualifications were assessed against the job requirements.	Describes an evaluation of the candidate’s suitability for the job.
7	The film was reviewed against other movies in the same genre.	Indicates a comparison of the film with other films of the same type.
8	The project’s success was evaluated against its initial goals.	Describes an assessment of the project’s achievements based on its objectives.
9	Her skills were compared against those of her colleagues.	Indicates a comparison of her skills with the skills of her colleagues.
10	The car’s fuel efficiency was measured against industry averages.	Describes a comparison of the car’s fuel efficiency with average levels.
11	The software’s performance was benchmarked against other programs.	The performance of the software was measured against other programs.
12	The city’s crime rate was compared against national statistics.	The crime rate of the city was compared with national figures.
13	He leaned against the wall.	This is an example of physical contact.
14	They are saving money against a rainy day.	This is an example of preparation.
15	She argued against the proposal.	This is an example of opposition.
16	The dam protects the town against flooding.	This is an example of protection.
17	The bright colors stood out against the dark background.	This is an example of background.
18	The evidence weighed against the suspect.	The evidence suggested the suspect was guilty.
19	The company’s results were measured against expectations.	The company’s performance was compared to what was expected.

Examples of Preparation and Planning

These examples illustrate the use of “against” to indicate preparation or planning for a potential event.

Below are examples of “against” used to indicate preparation or planning, often in anticipation of a negative event. Note how “against” links the action with the potential future event being prepared for.

No.	Sentence	Explanation
1	They are saving money against a rainy day.	Indicates saving money in preparation for a future need.
2	The city is preparing against a potential hurricane.	Describes preparations being made for a possible hurricane.
3	The company is hedging against market fluctuations.	Indicates taking measures to protect against market changes.
4	He bought extra supplies against the possibility of a snowstorm.	Describes preparing for a potential snowstorm.
5	The government is stockpiling resources against a future crisis.	Indicates accumulating resources in preparation for a crisis.
6	She is taking vitamins against getting sick.	Describes taking vitamins to prevent illness.
7	The country is building defenses against potential attacks.	Indicates building defenses to prepare for attacks.
8	The athlete is training hard against the upcoming competition.	Describes training in preparation for a competition.
9	The farmer is irrigating the fields against a potential drought.	Indicates preparing for a possible drought.
10	The company is diversifying its investments against economic downturns.	Describes diversifying investments to protect against economic problems.
11	The library is backing up its data against system failures.	The library is saving data to prevent loss due to failures.
12	The community is organizing against potential disasters.	The community is preparing for potential disasters.
13	He leaned against the wall.	This is an example of physical contact.
14	His performance was judged against the best in the world.	This is an example of comparison.
15	She argued against the proposal.	This is an example of opposition.
16	The dam protects the town against flooding.	This is an example of protection.
17	The bright colors stood out against the dark background.	This is an example of background.
18	The city fortified its walls against invasion.	The city strengthened its walls to prepare for a potential invasion.
19	The company is insuring its assets against unforeseen events.	The company is getting insurance to protect against unexpected events.

Usage Rules

Here are some key rules to remember when using “against”:

• Position: “Against” is a preposition and always comes before its object (a noun or pronoun).
• Context: The meaning of “against” is highly dependent on the context of the sentence. Pay attention to the verb and noun it is associated with.
• Avoid Overuse: While “against” is versatile, avoid using it excessively when other prepositions might be more precise.

Common Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using “against”:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
He leaned to the wall.	He leaned against the wall.	“Against” is the correct preposition to indicate leaning for support.
She protested to the war.	She protested against the war.	“Against” is used to express opposition.
They protected from the rain.	They protected themselves against the rain.	“Against” is needed to show what they are being protected from.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of “against” with these exercises.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition, “against”.

No.	Sentence	Answer
1	The waves crashed ______ the rocks.	against
2	She argued ______ the proposal.	against
3	The sunscreen protects ______ sunburn.	against
4	The white letters stood out ______ the black background.	against
5	They are saving money ______ a rainy day.	against
6	He leaned ______ the wall.	against
7	The vaccine is effective ______ the virus.	against
8	She fortified her house ______ intruders.	against
9	The company is battling ______ bankruptcy.	against
10	The evidence weighed heavily ______ him.	against

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Sentence

Choose the sentence that uses “against” correctly.

1. a) He leaned to the tree.
   b) He leaned against the tree.

   Answer: b

2. a) She fought against the injustice.
   b) She fought to the injustice.

   Answer: a

3. a) The shield protects against the fire.
   b) The shield protects from the fire.

   Answer: a

4. a) The colors contrasted against each other.
   b) The colors contrasted with each other.

   Answer: a

5. a) They prepared for a storm.
   b) They prepared against a storm.

   Answer: b

6. a) He competed to the best.
   b) He competed against the best.

   Answer: b

7. a) She braced herself against the impact.
   b) She braced herself for the impact.

   Answer: a

8. a) The city is defending from attack.
   b) The city is defending against attack.

   Answer: b

9. a) He voted for the law.
   b) He voted against the law.

   Answer: b

10. a) The team played with their rivals.
    b) The team played against their rivals.

    Answer: b

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, consider these more complex aspects of “against”:

• Figurative Language: “Against” is often used in figurative language, such as metaphors and idioms.
• Nuances of Meaning: The precise meaning of “against” can vary depending on subtle contextual clues.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about using “against”:

1. What is

   is the difference between “against” and “versus”?

   While both can indicate opposition, “versus” is typically used in formal contexts like legal or sporting events. “Against” is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of situations.

2. Can “against” be used in a positive context?

   Yes, although it’s less common. For example, “The bright colors stood out against the dark background” uses “against” to create a visually appealing contrast.

3. Is it ever correct to say “against to”?

   No, “against” is a preposition and does not require another preposition following it. “Against to” is grammatically incorrect.

Conclusion

By understanding the different uses and nuances of “against,” you can significantly improve your English communication skills. This guide has provided a comprehensive overview, from basic definitions to advanced topics, along with numerous examples and exercises. Remember to pay attention to context and practice regularly to master this versatile preposition. With consistent effort, you’ll be able to use “against” confidently and accurately in your everyday speech and writing.