back him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "back him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing support or endorsement for someone, often in a context of decision-making or action. Example: "I believe we should back him in his efforts to reform the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Polls back him up.

The Economist

I back him.

Independent

Most voters warily back him.

The Economist

The statistics back him up.

The New York Times

The figures back him up.

Independent

Some forecasts back him up.

The Economist

We back him.

The Guardian - Music

Statistics back him up.

The Guardian

Otherwise, this newspaper will not back him.

The Economist

But I'll still back him up.

The New York Times - Sports

The army, however, will not back him.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "back him" to clearly and concisely express your support for a person, plan, or idea. It is especially effective when you want to emphasize your commitment to helping them succeed.

Common error

Be mindful of the intensity of support "back him" implies. It suggests more than just passive agreement; it means actively supporting and potentially defending their actions or decisions. Avoid using it if your support is conditional or hesitant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back him" functions as a verb phrase expressing support or endorsement. Ludwig shows examples where it is used to indicate agreement with a person or their ideas, often implying a willingness to actively assist or defend them.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "back him" is a common and grammatically sound way to express support or endorsement for someone. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. It is widely used in news, media, and other contexts to convey commitment and agreement. Alternatives include "support him", "endorse him", and "stand by him". When using this phrase, ensure that the level of commitment implied matches your intention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

support him

Direct synonym replacing "back" with "support".

give him my backing

Rephrases "back him" using "backing" as a noun.

endorse him

Implies formal approval or agreement.

advocate for him

Highlights active support and promotion.

be on his side

Emphasizes alignment and support from a personal standpoint.

stand by him

Suggests loyalty and unwavering support, especially during difficult times.

be in his corner

Suggests being ready to defend and support someone, often in a competitive context.

champion him

Suggests enthusiastic and public support.

uphold him

Indicates providing moral or legal support.

second him

Implies formally agreeing with a proposal or motion.

FAQs

What does "back him" mean?

The phrase "back him" means to support or endorse someone, often in a situation where they need assistance or approval. It implies a commitment to helping them succeed or achieve their goals.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "back him"?

It's appropriate to use "back him" when you want to express your strong support for someone's actions, decisions, or ideas. This phrase is most effective when you are willing to actively assist or defend them.

What are some alternatives to "back him"?

You can use alternatives like "support him", "endorse him", or "stand by him" depending on the context.

How does "back him" differ from simply "agreeing" with someone?

"Back him" implies a more active and committed form of support than simply agreeing. To "back him" means you are willing to take action to help them succeed, whereas agreeing might just mean you share the same opinion.