a backer of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a backer of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who supports or finances a project, organization, or individual. Example: "She is a backer of the local arts initiative, providing funding for various community projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A backer of Mr. Paul is now the state party chairman.

The New York Times

On Friday, a backer of Mr. Perry described Mr. Romney's faith as a cult.

The New York Times

He speaks as chancellor of Leeds University and a backer of the Sky Academy scheme.

Independent

Justice Marshall's son, a backer of Ms. Kagan, was in the audience.

The New York Times

Their target was Rinat Akhmetov, Ukraine's richest man and a backer of the old regime.

The Economist

He was also a backer of the Conservative Philosophy Group whose ideas framed Thatcherism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Odey, the founder of Odey Asset Management, is also a backer of Vote Leave.

The Guardian - Business

He also became a backer of Gingrich and a personal friend.

The Guardian

He became a yacht racer and a backer of the New York restaurateur Nello Balan.

The New York Times

Mr. Dixon was at first a backer of Marion S. Barry Jr., Washington's longtime mayor.

The New York Times

Raymond Blanc, who would later become a backer of his protege's restaurant, returns the compliment.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a backer of" when you want to emphasize the supportive role, especially when it involves financial or influential backing. It is suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a backer of" when referring to purely emotional support or agreement without concrete actions. Choose a phrase like "a believer in" or "a sympathizer with" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a backer of" functions as a noun phrase complement, identifying someone who provides support, often financial or influential, to a particular entity or cause. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a backer of" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone who supports a particular cause, person, or organization. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, including news, business, and general information sources. While it's appropriate for formal and informal settings, it's essential to use it when the support involves tangible actions rather than mere emotional agreement. Alternatives such as "supporter", "sponsor", and "advocate" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A supporter of

Focuses more on general advocacy and less on financial contributions.

A sponsor of

Implies a more formal or official endorsement, often with financial backing.

An advocate for

Highlights active promotion and defense of a cause or person.

A patron of

Suggests long-term, often philanthropic, support for the arts or sciences.

A champion of

Emphasizes enthusiastic and vocal support, often in the face of opposition.

A promoter of

Focuses on actively encouraging the growth or popularity of something.

An investor in

Specifically refers to providing financial resources with the expectation of a return.

A contributor to

Implies providing assistance, whether financial or otherwise.

An adherent to

Highlights someone who follows or believes in a particular idea or movement.

An exponent of

Suggests someone who actively explains and promotes an idea or belief.

FAQs

How do you use "a backer of" in a sentence?

Use "a backer of" to describe someone who supports a cause, person, or organization, often financially. For instance, "He is a backer of the local arts scene" or "She is a known backer of environmental initiatives".

What's a good alternative to "a backer of"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "a supporter of", "a sponsor of", "an advocate for", or "a patron of".

Is "backer of" formal or informal?

The phrase "backer of" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than the phrase itself. For example "He is a major backer of the project" can be used both formally and informally.

When is it inappropriate to use "a backer of"?

It's inappropriate when describing mere agreement or emotional support without any tangible action or contribution. In such cases, phrases like "a believer in" or "a sympathizer with" might be more fitting.