asking for support

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "asking for support" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a request for help or assistance in various contexts, such as personal, professional, or academic situations. Example: "In times of difficulty, it's important to remember that asking for support is a sign of strength, not weakness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Yanomami are asking for support," he added.

The Guardian

On Saturday, Mr. Assange issued a statement, asking for support for Mr. Snowden.

The New York Times

But the industry is asking for support to continue until 2020 before it can stand alone.

The Guardian

If you're starting university, he says work hard and enjoy your studies, but don't be shy about asking for support.

The Guardian

Still, Mr. Gore kept going back, asking for support time and time again, and in many cases wore people down.

The New York Times

As the food crisis in the Horn of Africa continues, so do the campaigns asking for support and donations.

The Guardian

It's frustrating to know that there are other Sandras in my borough who also aren't asking for support.

The Guardian

With blood now gushing from his eyes, Beers reached out for Gross, as if he were asking for support.

The New York Times - Magazine

Rajeev began his presentation, but instead of asking for support he said that it would be a mistake to build a full college in Namje.

The New Yorker

The organisers, from Unite, say that they approached the Conservatives asking for support but were refused, and are awaiting a reply from the Liberal Democrats.

Independent

At Mr. Monserrate's campaign headquarters in Corona, two women spoke to voters by phone in Spanish and Bengali, asking for support.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, contextualize "asking for support" with specific details about what kind of support is needed to make the request more effective.

Common error

Don't use "asking for support" without specifying the type of support required. Be clear whether you need financial, emotional, technical, or other kinds of assistance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "asking for support" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun within a sentence. It describes the act of requesting assistance, whether it's for emotional, financial, or practical aid. Ludwig AI showcases various examples across different contexts, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "asking for support" is a very common and grammatically correct way to express the act of seeking assistance or aid. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and appears in diverse contexts, primarily in news, scientific, and general information sources. While generally neutral in tone, specifying the type of support needed enhances clarity. When using this phrase, ensure the context is appropriate and consider alternatives like "requesting assistance" for formal settings or "asking for help" for informal ones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requesting assistance

Formal alternative emphasizing the act of formally seeking help.

seeking aid

Focuses on the act of finding or obtaining help.

appealing for aid

Highlights the urgent or persuasive nature of the request.

soliciting assistance

Emphasizes the process of actively seeking contributions or help.

seeking backing

Focuses on gaining approval or endorsement for a cause or project.

requesting backing

Formal alternative emphasizing the act of formally seeking endorsement.

canvassing for support

Implies a broader effort to gather support from many sources.

enlisting support

Suggests a more active and organized effort to gain help.

imploring for assistance

Highlights the desperate or earnest nature of the request.

petitioning for help

Formal way of asking assistance through a written request.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "asking for support" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, you can replace "asking for support" with phrases such as "requesting assistance" or "soliciting support".

What is a less formal way to say "asking for support"?

For less formal situations, you could use phrases like "asking for help" or "seeking aid", which are more conversational.

Is there a difference between "asking for support" and "seeking support"?

While very similar, "asking for support" implies a direct request, whereas "seeking support" can refer to a broader effort to find or obtain help without necessarily making a direct request.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "asking for support" in writing?

The phrase "asking for support" is appropriate in a variety of contexts, from academic papers and news articles to personal blogs. Ensure that the tone matches the context and that the type of support needed is clearly specified.