a major support

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major support" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that provides significant assistance or help in a particular context. Example: "The new funding has been a major support for our research project, allowing us to expand our team and resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

"The camp and the friends we made there were a major support to me after Sept. 11," she said.

The New York Times

Optical nonlinear materials (ONLM) may provide a major support to optical switching-based all-optical logic and algebraic operations.

Optical Switching and Networking

It is ironic that police are both a major support and a major threat to a democratic society.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Students should also be reminded often that the family will be viewed as a major support system.

Yale University

Crucially the FTSE has not closed below 5800 which is seen as a major support level and clients have been buying into the FTSE at these levels.

The Guardian - Business

"She has lost her spouse, so a major support piece had already been taken from her, and now she must deal with her son's situation".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

She's become a major supporting player in the ongoing Kardashian meta-narrative – having a baby with the rapper Tyga, who then leaves her for Kylie Jenner, which leads to Chyna joining forces with Rob.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A spouse is often a source of major support, in terms of finances, safety, and security.

HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care

And as you can see on the chart, the next major support is a loooong way down.

Forbes

This currently funded research base provides the major support for a group of investigators who would benefit from shared resources.

Environmental Health Perspectives

34 Battle (2009) suggests that the WITB should gradually improve over time in order to become a major income support for working poor Canadians.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a major support", ensure the context clearly defines what is being supported and why the support is significant. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a major support" without specifying the beneficiary. For example, instead of saying "Education is a major support", specify "Education is a major support for social mobility".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major support" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies something or someone that provides significant help or assistance. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

35%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a major support" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe something or someone offering significant help or assistance. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is versatile and appears frequently in News & Media and Scientific writing. When employing "a major support", ensure the context clearly defines the recipient and significance of the support. Alternatives such as "a significant source of help" or "an indispensable aid" can provide nuanced expression while maintaining semantic similarity. Understanding these nuances allows writers to use "a major support" effectively across various communication contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant source of help

Replaces "support" with "source of help", emphasizing the origin of assistance; maintains the overall meaning.

a crucial pillar of strength

Uses a more figurative language, replacing "support" with "pillar of strength" to denote reliability and importance.

a key element of assistance

Substitutes "support" with "element of assistance", highlighting the essential role in providing help.

an indispensable aid

Replaces "major support" with a single adjective "indispensable" and noun "aid", to convey the idea of being essential and helpful.

a vital backbone

Uses "backbone" as a metaphor for support, emphasizing the importance for stability and function.

a considerable resource

Focuses on the availability of something helpful, rather than the act of supporting.

a substantial contribution

Highlights the impact of the support provided, emphasizing the positive effect of the contribution.

a prime foundation

Emphasizes the foundational aspect of the support, suggesting it is the base upon which something is built.

a powerful influence

Shifts the focus to the influence exerted by the supporting entity, rather than direct assistance.

a great asset

Indicates that the supporting entity is valuable and advantageous.

FAQs

How can I use "a major support" in a sentence?

Use "a major support" to describe something or someone that provides significant assistance or help. For example, "The new funding has been "a major support" for our research project".

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

You can use alternatives like "a significant source of help", "a crucial pillar of strength", or "an indispensable aid" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a major supporting" instead of "a major support"?

While "supporting" can function as an adjective, ""a major support"" is generally preferred when referring to something that provides assistance. "Supporting" is more often used to describe something that is in the act of giving support. E.g. a major supporting role.

What's the difference between "a major support" and "a key support"?

"A major support" implies a significant level of assistance, while "a key support" suggests essential or fundamental assistance. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the degree or the necessity of the support.