a backer for

USAGE SUMMARY

"a backer for" is both correct and usable in written English.
Generally, you can use this phrase to refer to a person or entity that provides financial support for something. For example, "The small start-up company was looking for a backer for their new project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"Had I had a backer, for example," he says, "I would not have come here to Bray.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Now a backer for the music-streaming service Spotify, he was portrayed by Justin Timberlake in the Oscar-winning 2010 movie, The Social Network.

Independent

In competing Europe, after all, Columbus was able to flit from court to court until he finally found a backer for his expedition of 1492.

The Economist

But he could not find a backer for the camera, so he returned to his original idea of creating a next-generation smart cellphone.

The New York Times - Tech

But his real goal was to find a backer for "Treemonisha," the opera that he envisioned as an elaborate stage production with some ragtime music.

The New York Times

Jockey Club Racecourses will also have to find a backer for the Group One Sprint Cup at Haydock, which was part of Betfred's sponsorship portfolio.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

A backer of Cooper for the leadership, Healey initially threw his hat into the ring to become deputy leader but failed to get sufficient nominations from fellow MPs.

The Guardian

But since he took over leadership of the party, he has become a backer of civil unions for gay couples.

The New York Times

Feinstein herself became a U.S. Senator in 1992 and a backer of trade normalization for China.

Forbes

As reported by The Daily Dot, the video was created as a reward for a backer of Kawehi's ongoing Kickstarter campaign to fund her "Evolution" EP.

Huffington Post

In 1994, American Vogue Editor in Chief Anna Wintour secured a financial backer for a then-destitute Galliano.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When seeking financial support, clearly articulate the project's goals, potential returns, and the benefits for the "backer". This transparency can increase the likelihood of securing "a backer for" your endeavor.

Common error

Avoid mistyping "backer" as "hacker". While both words exist, they have vastly different meanings. "Backer" refers to a supporter, often financial, whereas "hacker" refers to someone who gains unauthorized access to computer systems.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a backer for" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used to modify a noun or verb by indicating the entity that provides support, often financial, to a particular project, cause, or individual. Ludwig confirms this usage through its numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a backer for" is a prepositional phrase used to describe someone who provides support, typically financial, to a specific project, cause, or individual. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternatives such as "a sponsor of" or "an investor in" exist, they carry slightly different connotations. When using "a backer for", it's crucial to clearly define what the backer is supporting to avoid ambiguity. Overall, the phrase is most appropriate in professional, formal, or neutral communication settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a financial supporter of

Emphasizes the monetary contribution to a cause or project.

a sponsor of

Focuses on providing resources or support for an event, activity, or organization, with a connotation of public association.

a subsidizer of

Specifically refers to providing financial assistance to keep costs low or operations running.

an investor in

Highlights the financial aspect of supporting a venture with the expectation of a return.

a benefactor to

Highlights the act of doing good through financial support.

a patron of

Suggests a long-term, often philanthropic relationship of support, particularly in the arts.

a champion of

Suggests strong and vocal support, often in the face of opposition.

a provider for

Focuses on supplying necessary resources or assistance.

an advocate for

Implies active public support and promotion of an idea or cause, not necessarily financial.

a contributor to

Indicates a general contribution, which may or may not be financial.

FAQs

How can I use "a backer for" in a sentence?

You can use "a backer for" when referring to someone who provides financial or other significant support for a project, cause, or individual. For example, "The artist was searching for "a backer for" their upcoming exhibition".

What are some alternatives to "a backer for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a sponsor of", "an investor in", or "a financial supporter of".

What's the difference between "a backer for" and "a supporter of"?

"A backer for" usually implies financial support, while "a supporter of" can refer to someone who provides encouragement, advocacy, or other forms of non-financial assistance. Both terms indicate someone who is in favor of something, but their roles differ in the type of assistance provided.

Is it always necessary to specify what someone is "a backer for"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying what someone is "a backer for" provides clarity and context. Without it, the sentence might lack specific information about the area of support, potentially leading to ambiguity. For example, it is better to say "a backer for the new hospital wing" instead of just "a backer".