V against n

The verb is followed by a prepositional phrase which consists of against and a noun group. With some verbs, the preposition is sometimes followed by an '-ing' clause. The passive pattern is be V-ed against.This pattern has one structure:

Verb with prepositional Object

Thousands of people demonstrated against the tax.

Active voice: V against n/-ing

	Verb group	against	noun group/-ing clause
Subject	Verb	prepositional Object
He	campaigned	against	arranged marriages.
You	're competing	against	younger workers.
They	have decided	against	boycotting the referendum.
Their bullets	slammed	against	the fuselage.

Passive voice: be V-ed against

	Verb group	against
Subject	Verb	Preposition	Adjunct (optional)
They	are discriminated	against	by their employers.

Phrasal verbs: V P against n/-ing

	Verb group	Particle	against	noun group/ing clause
Subject	Verb		prepositional Object
Several countries	have come	out	against	holding official celebrations.
He	has fought	back	against	the hardliners.
He	lashed	out	against	the proposal.