a symbol of support

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a symbol of support" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that represents encouragement or assistance for a cause, person, or group. Example: "The pink ribbon has become a symbol of support for breast cancer awareness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

For Steve Strompf, the wristband is a symbol of support.

The New York Times

Many flashed a four-fingered salute, known as the Rabia sign, that has become a symbol of support for Mr. Erdogan.

The New York Times

It was worn as a symbol of support for the conspirators' cause, and next door to the "aureus" is a video of Royal Shakespeare Company actor Paterson Joseph holding the coin and delivering a speech by Brutus.

Independent

Beneath yellow, black and green bunting, the colors of the A.N.C., they sang "Zuma is the one" and stomped their feet, waving two fingers in the air, a symbol of support for Mr. Zuma's second term.

The New York Times

Or Marina Abramovic art-directing Riccardo Tisci's womenswear show (a woman stood under a stream of running water; a man held tree branches as a symbol of "support and life force"; there was chanting from Tibetan monks).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But Lush, the powerfully scented high street soap and cosmetics firm, has been promoting a new bath product, Guantánamo Garden, as a symbol of support for the closure of the controversial US detention centre.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Loseva, the inventor of the ribbon, said she was never comfortable with the ribbon's use as a political symbol, particularly when separatists in Ukraine rallied around the colors orange and black as a symbol of their support for Moscow and Moscoww's support for them).

The Washington Post

The Maine was stationed in Havana as a symbol of U.S. support of the Cuban independence movement.

The New York Times

A strip of green cotton hung from the rearview mirror of his car, a symbol of his support for the Qaddafi government.

The New York Times

But as news of the crash flashed around the world, some of soccer's biggest teams held minutes of silence before matches, top players like Lionel Messi paid homage, and the #ForçaChape hashtag became a symbol of global support.

The New York Times - Sports

When he gave his reluctant endorsement to an abortive $500 million plan to lure the National Football League Raiders back to Oakland from Los Angeles, the issue became a symbol of his support of business.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a symbol of support", ensure the symbol is easily recognizable and clearly associated with the cause or group it represents.

Common error

Avoid using overly abstract or obscure symbols as "a symbol of support", as they may not be readily understood by your audience and can diminish the intended impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a symbol of support" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies something that represents backing, encouragement, or solidarity. Ludwig AI confirms this with examples where the phrase acts as the subject or object within sentences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a symbol of support" is a noun phrase that commonly conveys the idea of something representing backing or solidarity. Ludwig AI analysis confirms it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternative phrases like "an emblem of solidarity" or "a sign of backing" offer similar meanings, the choice depends on the specific nuance and desired level of formality. When using this phrase, ensure that the symbol's meaning is clear and easily understood by your audience for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an emblem of solidarity

Replaces "symbol" with "emblem" and "support" with "solidarity", emphasizing unity and shared purpose.

a sign of backing

Uses more informal terms like "sign" and "backing", making it suitable for casual contexts.

a gesture of encouragement

Focuses on the act of giving encouragement rather than the symbolic representation.

a token of advocacy

Highlights the aspect of actively advocating for a cause or person.

a representation of allegiance

Emphasizes loyalty and commitment through the representation.

a mark of endorsement

Highlights the aspect of officially approving or supporting something.

a demonstration of assistance

Focuses on the act of providing help or assistance rather than a symbolic representation.

a visual affirmation

Highlights the visual and affirmative nature of the symbol.

a pledge of aid

Focuses on promising help or assistance.

an expression of reassurance

Emphasizes the comforting aspect of the support being offered.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a symbol of support" in a sentence?

To effectively use "a symbol of support", clearly connect the symbol to what it represents and ensure the context clarifies its intended meaning. For example, "The yellow ribbon became "a symbol of support" for the troops."

What are some alternatives to saying "a symbol of support"?

You can use alternatives like "an emblem of solidarity", "a gesture of encouragement", or "a sign of backing" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a symbol of support" and "a show of support"?

"A symbol of support" represents something that stands for backing or solidarity, while "a show of support" is an action or demonstration that expresses backing or solidarity. The former is a representation, and the latter is an action.

Which is more formal, "a symbol of support" or "a sign of support"?

"A symbol of support" is generally considered more formal than "a sign of support". The word "symbol" implies a deeper, more established representation, whereas "sign" can be more casual and immediate.