What Does โCount against sbโ Mean?
โCount against sbโ means to be considered a disadvantage or negative factor for someone, often affecting their chances or reputation.
Introduction
The phrase โcount against sbโ is a common English phrasal verb used to describe when something works as a negative point or disadvantage for a person. Understanding the count against sb meaning helps learners express situations where someoneโs actions or traits might reduce their chances of success or harm their reputation. For example, if a mistake you made โcounts against you,โ it means that the mistake will be held against you in judgment or decision-making. This phrase is useful in both formal and informal contexts, such as job interviews, competitions, or everyday conversations. Knowing how to use it properly enhances your ability to communicate disadvantages clearly.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: count against sb (count something against somebody)
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To be a disadvantage or negative factor for someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
โCount against sbโ is a transitive phrasal verb and is usually inseparable. The structure is:
- count + something + against + somebody
Example patterns:
- The mistake counts against him.
- His lack of experience counts against her application.
Note: You cannot separate โcountโ and โagainstโ in this phrase.
How to Use โCount against sbโ?
Use โcount against sbโ when you want to express that a particular fact, action, or characteristic is a disadvantage for someone. It often appears in contexts involving judgment, evaluation, or decision-making. For example, in a job interview, if a candidateโs late arrival โcounts against them,โ it means the interviewer may view this negatively.
It is commonly used with nouns like โmistake,โ โerror,โ โfact,โ or โbehaviorโ that negatively impact someoneโs situation.
Examples
- His failure to meet the deadline counts against him in the promotion process.
- The judge said the evidence counted against the defendant.
- Not having a degree may count against you in this job.
- Count against sb in a sentence: The broken rule will definitely count against her in the final decision.
- The teamโs poor performance last season counts against them now.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: His mistake counts for him.
- Correct: His mistake counts against him.
- Incorrect: The error counts on her.
- Correct: The error counts against her.
Remember, โcount againstโ means disadvantage; do not confuse it with โcount for,โ which means to be an advantage or benefit.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include:
- Work against sb: Means to act in opposition, but less about judgment and more about active opposition.
- Hold against sb: Means to remember someoneโs mistake or fault as a negative point, often in a personal context.
- Count for sb: The opposite of count against; it means to be an advantage.
Example: โHis honesty counts for him, but his tardiness counts against him.โ
Common Collocations
- Count a mistake against sb
- Count an error against sb
- Count a fact against sb
- Count someoneโs behavior against them
- Count a late submission against sb
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of count against sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: I heard you missed the meeting yesterday. Wonโt that count against you?
Mark: I hope not. I had a good reason, but Iโm worried it might affect the managerโs decision.
Anna: Sometimes small things do count against us, but if you explain, it might be okay.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase:
His constant lateness will probably ________ him when applying for the new position.
- a) count for
- b) count against
- c) hold up
- d) work on
FAQs
- Q: Can โcount against sbโ be used in formal writing?
A: Yes, it is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. - Q: Is โcount against sbโ separable?
A: No, the phrase is inseparable. - Q: What is the opposite of โcount against sbโ?
A: โCount for sb,โ meaning to be an advantage. - Q: Can โcount against sbโ refer to things other than people?
A: Usually, it refers to people, but can apply to groups or organizations. - Q: Does โcount against sbโ always mean a serious disadvantage?
A: Not always; it can be a minor or major negative factor.
