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Grammar fix

go against

oppose or violate

to do something that is not in agreement with a rule, belief, or someone's wishes; to oppose or act against something or someone.

phrasal verbB1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • He didn't want to go against his parents' advice, but he chose a different career.daily life
  • In my opinion, it is sometimes necessary to go against tradition if you want to achieve something new.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: go against + noun/pronoun

WrongIt goes against to my beliefs.

RightIt goes against my beliefs.

'Go against' takes the object directly — no 'to'.

Patterngo against + noun/pronoun

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff Her decision was in direct contravention of company policy.

Natural Her decision went against company policy.

'Go against' is the everyday verb; 'in contravention of' is legal/formal.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • go against + rule/wish
    the rulesmy instinctsadvicethe grain

Don't confuse it

'Go with' means to support or agree with something, while 'go against' means to oppose it.

Try it in Daily Speak →