as a gesture of support

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a gesture of support" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing an action taken to show encouragement or solidarity towards someone or something. Example: "She donated to the charity as a gesture of support for the cause."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 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

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

All around the country, enthusiastic Thais hung green banners from balconies, office windows and car aerials as a gesture of support.

The Economist

Both Wen and Zhao were photographed visiting with demonstrators, an act interpreted as a gesture of support for the protestors' cause.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

As well as being a gesture of support for the Bush administration, it had an undeclared sub-text about the EU.

The Economist

The police and Officer Leifer described the visits as a combination of a gesture of support for parolees who may need some kind of help after the storm and a proactive show of force.

The New York Times

Lord Sumption wore a piano keyboard design tie on one day and on another a colourful 2012 Olympic Team GB tie, interpreted by some as a reassurance of his patriotism or a gesture of support for the master of the rolls, Sir Terence Etherton, formerly an Olympic fencer, one of three high court judges branded "enemies of the people" by the Daily Mail.

The Guardian

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

Reagan to serve coffee and doughnuts to demonstrators outside the South African Embassy as a symbolic gesture of support for their acts of conscience in protesting apartheid.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a gesture of support" to clearly communicate the intention behind an action, ensuring the recipient understands it's meant as encouragement or solidarity.

Common error

Avoid using "as a gesture of support" when the action provides significant material benefit that overshadows the symbolic intent. If the material benefit is substantial, focus the writing on that, rather than the gesture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a gesture of support" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the reason or intention behind an action. As Ludwig AI indicates, it clearly communicates the purpose of an act as one of encouragement or solidarity. Examples show its usage in describing various supportive actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a gesture of support" is a versatile and commonly used expression to convey the intention behind an action as one of encouragement or solidarity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. Analyzing numerous examples, it's evident that the phrase is most frequently used in news and media, followed by formal business settings. While synonyms like "as a token of support" or "as an act of solidarity" exist, "as a gesture of support" strikes a balance between formality and clarity, making it a solid choice when you want to emphasize the supportive intent behind a specific action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a token of support

Replaces "gesture" with "token", emphasizing the symbolic nature of the support.

as an act of solidarity

Focuses on the unity and shared sentiment behind the support.

to show our support

More direct and less formal, emphasizing the act of displaying support.

to demonstrate support

Similar to "show support", but implies a more public or overt display.

in a show of support

Highlights the visual or public aspect of the supporting action.

as an expression of encouragement

Focuses on the motivational aspect of the support being offered.

to lend a hand

More informal, implying practical help or assistance.

to offer assistance

A more formal way of offering help or support.

out of empathy

Highlights the feeling of empathy and compassion driving the act of support.

as a symbolic gesture

Emphasizes the symbolic meaning of the action, rather than practical help.

FAQs

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

You can use "as a gesture of support" to describe actions taken to show encouragement or solidarity. For example, "She attended the rally "as a gesture of support" for the cause."

What are some alternatives to "as a gesture of support"?

Alternatives include "as a token of support", "as an act of solidarity", or "to show our support", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "as a gesture for support" instead of "as a gesture of support"?

No, the correct and idiomatic phrase is "as a gesture of support". Using "for" instead of "of" changes the meaning and is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "as a gesture of support" and "as a sign of support"?

While similar, "as a gesture of support" implies a specific action intended to show support, while "as a sign of support" ("as a sign of support") suggests a more general indication of backing or approval.