a supportive hand

USAGE SUMMARY

"a supportive hand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest or describe someone offering physical or emotional help or guidance. For example, "When things were tough, my dad was always there to give me a supportive hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The Secretariat lends a supportive hand.

Independent

Her husband, the former astronaut Mark E. Kelly, kept a supportive hand on her shoulder as she spoke.

The New York Times

Then, for the first time, he publicly acknowledged what has been obvious for weeks: "Secretary Clinton has won the Democratic nominating process," he said, turning to place a supportive hand on her shoulder, "and I congratulate her for that.

The New Yorker

We conclude further that the private sector generally ought to lead efforts in interoperability, with the public sector ready either to lend a supportive hand or to determine after the fact whether the market has failed in a way such that state action is the best means of rectifying the problem.

Harvard University

However, remote employment opportunities allow military families to achieve professional and financial stability, lending a supportive hand not only to the military spouse but the solider, the family and the nation.

HuffPost

Although my town in northern Alabama had its share of eccentric bachelors wearing ascots, I'm fairly certain that blatant homosexuality would have been looked upon as a grievous sin indulged in by perverted Yankees, a group that I found myself clinging to for a supportive hand and emotional survival.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A devoted spouse to his surviving wife, Elizabeth, an ever supportive hand to his son, Martin, and loving family patriarch.

The New York Times

Before a supportive audience, hand-in-hand with cherished friends and teammates, go there.

HuffPost

Tanaka elevated quickly through the upper ranks of the department under the supportive hand of Baca.

Los Angeles Times

I was lucky because I fell into the supportive hands of a friend who turned out to be the love of my life.

The Guardian - Opinion

The chorus was on stage throughout, laying supportive hands on Alun Armstrong's manic Sweeney as if he were a mythic hero.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a supportive hand" when you want to convey the idea of offering assistance that encourages and strengthens someone's efforts or well-being. It is suitable for both tangible and intangible support.

Common error

While "a supportive hand" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise or technical terms depending on your context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a supportive hand" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as an object or complement in a sentence. It describes an act of offering help that is intended to encourage and strengthen the recipient. The Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a supportive hand" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes providing help with encouragement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It functions as a noun phrase, conveying the idea of aid that strengthens and encourages. While its register is generally neutral, it's most commonly found in news and media, formal business, and academic contexts. When considering alternatives, phrases like "a helpful hand" or "a generous hand" offer similar meanings with slight nuances. Remember to tailor your choice based on the desired level of formality and the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A supplementary hand

Focuses on providing something additional, an extra contribution.

A helpful hand

Emphasizes the utility and assistance provided.

A positive hand

Highlights the beneficial and optimistic nature of the assistance.

A generous hand

Stresses the abundance and unselfishness of the help.

A favourable hand

Suggests assistance that leads to a positive outcome or advantage.

A suitable hand

Implies that the help is appropriate and fitting for the situation.

A receptive hand

Suggests a willingness to receive and act upon the assistance.

A useful hand

Highlights the practicality and effectiveness of the help.

A further hand

Implies an additional or continued offering of assistance.

A supportive addition

Focuses on the element of adding help to something.

FAQs

How can I use "a supportive hand" in a sentence?

You can use "a supportive hand" to describe the act of providing help or encouragement. For example, "The organization offers "a supportive hand" to those struggling with addiction."

What are some alternatives to "a supportive hand"?

Some alternatives include "a helpful hand", "a generous hand", or "a supplementary hand", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a supportive hand" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the context. In highly formal or technical writing, a more precise term might be preferable. Alternatives include "assistance" or "aid".

What does "a supportive hand" imply?

It implies not just providing help, but also offering encouragement and understanding. It suggests a holistic approach to assistance, addressing both practical and emotional needs.