advocate for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "advocate for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone is advocating for a particular group, idea, or cause. For example, "The charity organization advocates for better healthcare policies in developing countries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Excellent advocate for the county".

The New Yorker

Be an advocate for us.

The New York Times

"I advocate for neighborhood watch.

The New York Times

I advocate for them.

The New York Times

"I advocate for myself".

The New York Times

We try to advocate for simplicity".

The New York Times

A passionate advocate for my artists.

The New Yorker

Passionate advocate for social equality and peace.

The New York Times

Each is an important advocate for change.

Independent

He is an outspoken advocate for zoos.

The New York Times

He became an advocate for circle hooks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "advocate for", clearly state the specific cause, group, or individual you are supporting to avoid ambiguity. For example, "She advocates for stricter environmental regulations."

Common error

Avoid using "advocate for" when simply agreeing with something. Advocacy involves active support and promotion, not just passive agreement. For example, instead of saying "I advocate for that idea" when you mean "I agree with that idea."

Linguistic Context

"Advocate for" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating active support and promotion of a cause, idea, or individual. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, as seen in numerous examples where individuals and organizations publicly express their backing for various initiatives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "advocate for" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that conveys active support for a cause, idea, or individual. As affirmed by Ludwig, its prevalence across diverse sources underscores its significance in persuasive communication. While alternatives like "support" or "champion" exist, "advocate for" specifically implies a proactive and vocal endorsement. To ensure clarity, always specify the subject of your advocacy. Steer clear of substituting "advocate for" for mere agreement; advocacy involves active promotion. Given its broad applicability, understanding the nuances of "advocate for" is crucial for effective communication in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be an advocate of

This alternative phrases uses 'of' instead of 'for', to express that someone publicly supports or suggests an idea, development or way of doing something.

support

This alternative is a more general term that encompasses various ways of providing assistance or approval.

champion

This alternative implies a more active and enthusiastic form of support, suggesting a proactive defense of a cause.

promote

This alternative focuses on raising awareness and encouraging the adoption of a particular idea or cause.

stand up for

This alternative conveys a sense of bravery and willingness to confront opposition in support of a cause or person.

defend

This alternative suggests protecting someone or something from attack or criticism.

speak for

This alternative focuses on representing the views and interests of a particular group or person.

plead for

This alternative suggests making an earnest or emotional appeal on behalf of someone or something.

push for

This alternative means to persistently promote or try to achieve something.

lobby for

This alternative implies attempting to influence policymakers to support a specific cause or legislation.

FAQs

How can I use "advocate for" in a sentence?

Use "advocate for" to show support or plead in favour of something. For example, "The organization works to "advocate for" children's rights".

What are some alternatives to saying "advocate for"?

Alternatives include "support", "champion", or "promote", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "advocate to" instead of "advocate for"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "advocate" in this context is "for". "Advocate to" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "advocate for" and "support"?

"Advocate for" implies active and public support, often involving campaigning or lobbying. "Support" is a more general term that can include passive agreement or financial assistance.