Side with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "side with" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to support or agree with a particular person, group, or idea. Here are a few examples of how it can be used: - "I always side with my sister during arguments with our parents." - "The majority of the population seems to side with the opposition party in this election." - "I can't believe you would side with someone who has clearly done something wrong." - "After hearing both sides of the story, I decided to side with the employer in the dispute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Side with innovation.

Huffington Post

Side with competition.

Huffington Post

Side with struggle and natural selection.

Huffington Post

I didn't side with either".

The New York Times - Arts

"We know they will side with us".

The New Yorker

Internally, he may side with Eikenberry.

Independent

Fitch appeared to side with the president.

The New York Times

Time to side with the sheriff.

The Economist

I side with the makeup artists.

The New York Times

These courts rarely side with employers.

The Economist

"Take my side with them," he pleaded.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "side with" to clearly indicate your support for a specific person, group, or idea in a conflict or debate. Ensure the context makes it clear why you are choosing that particular side.

Common error

Avoid using "side with" when you simply agree with someone on a specific point but do not necessarily support them in a broader conflict. Use alternatives like "agree with" or "concur with" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "side with" functions primarily as a marker of alignment and support. It indicates a conscious decision to support a particular person, group, or viewpoint, often in a situation involving disagreement or conflict. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is widespread.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Wiki

22%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "side with" is a commonly used phrasal verb that effectively conveys support or agreement, particularly in situations of conflict or debate. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, its neutral register makes it versatile for different forms of communication. To ensure effective usage, consider the potential for misinterpretation and use appropriate alternatives when simple agreement, rather than active support, is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take someone's side

Emphasizes the act of choosing a specific person to support.

support a party

Focuses on providing assistance or approval to a group or cause.

align oneself with

Suggests a deliberate act of joining or agreeing with a particular group or idea.

be in agreement with

Highlights the state of sharing the same opinion or belief.

back a player

Implies providing encouragement and assistance to a person or entity.

cast your lot with

Suggests a firm decision to link one's fate with another.

favor

Indicates a preference or partiality towards a particular option or side.

espouse

Formal term indicating adoption or support of a cause or belief.

uphold

Suggests defending or maintaining a principle or decision.

champion

Emphasizes active support and defense of a cause or person.

FAQs

How can I use "side with" in a sentence?

You can use "side with" to express your support for someone or something. For example, "I always "side with" my friends, no matter what" or "The evidence suggests we should "side with" the plaintiff in this case".

What's the difference between "side with" and "agree with"?

"Agree with" simply means sharing the same opinion, while ""side with"" implies active support, often in a conflict or disagreement. You can agree with someone without necessarily siding with them.

Which is correct, "side with" or "side on"?

"Side with" is the correct and commonly used phrase. "Side on" is not a standard English idiom and should be avoided.

What can I say instead of ""side with""?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "take someone's side", "support a party", or "align oneself with".