a gesture of support

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a gesture of support" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an action or sign that expresses encouragement or solidarity towards someone or something. Example: "The community organized a rally as a gesture of support for the local charity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It may have been meant as a gesture of support.

The Economist

As a gesture of support, he planned to eat Chick-fil-A for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The New York Times

It was a gesture of support that also underlined the importance of the vote to Jordan, analysts said.

The New York Times

According to sources close to Stewart, she invested in ImClone in a gesture of support for her friend.

The New Yorker

"I just thought, 'What can we do that is a gesture of support for these people?' " she said.

The New York Times

President Vaclav Havel visited the hunger strikers late Friday in a gesture of support for their demands, Czechoslovak televison reported.

The New York Times

Afterward, as a gesture of support, Ms. Rotter asked if he would like company or to go to a movie.

The New York Times - Style

The photo could have been seen as a gesture of support for the jailed members of Russian punk group Pussy Riot.

Independent

DAKAR, Senegal — President Obama hosted four recently elected West African presidents on Friday in a gesture of support for the continent's nascent democracies.

The New York Times

Others rolled their hands, miming soccer fans calling for a player to be substituted, a gesture of support for Mr. Motlanthe.

The New York Times

As the American national anthem played, the two raised their fists in a gesture of support for the black power movement.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a gesture of support", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being supported and why the gesture is significant. Specificity enhances the impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a gesture of support" when the action is unclear or lacks genuine impact. Ensure the gesture is meaningful and not merely performative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a gesture of support" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence, describing an action or sign that conveys encouragement or solidarity. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a gesture of support" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that functions as a noun phrase expressing encouragement or solidarity. Ludwig AI examples show it frequently appears in news and media contexts. While versatile, ensure the gesture is specific and impactful to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "an act of solidarity" or "a show of encouragement" can provide nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an act of solidarity

Replaces "gesture" with "act" and "support" with "solidarity", emphasizing unity and shared feeling.

a show of encouragement

Focuses on the aspect of encouragement rather than general support.

a symbol of backing

Highlights the symbolic nature of the support being offered.

a friendly overture

Suggests a more amicable and relationship-focused expression of support.

an expression of goodwill

Emphasizes positive intentions and kindness as the basis of the support.

a token of allegiance

Implies a formal declaration of loyalty and backing.

a comforting action

Highlights the emotional support provided through action.

a demonstration of advocacy

Focuses on actively promoting or defending a cause or person.

a supportive signal

Emphasizes the act of signaling approval or backing.

a gesture of comfort

Focuses on providing solace or easing distress through the gesture.

FAQs

How can I use "a gesture of support" in a sentence?

You can use "a gesture of support" to describe an action that shows encouragement or solidarity, such as: "The community organized a rally as "a gesture of support" for the local hospital".

What can I say instead of "a gesture of support"?

You can use alternatives like "an act of solidarity", "a show of encouragement", or "a symbol of backing" depending on the context.

Is it better to be specific than to simply offer "a gesture of support"?

Yes, providing concrete assistance or clearly articulating the reason behind the support is often more impactful than a vague ""a gesture of support"". Specificity adds sincerity and demonstrates genuine care.

What distinguishes "a gesture of support" from "a gesture of goodwill"?

"A gesture of support" implies backing or encouragement for a specific cause or individual, while "a gesture of goodwill" typically indicates positive intentions or kindness without necessarily implying active backing.