back the undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "back the undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing support or endorsement for a specific project or initiative. Example: "The committee decided to back the undertaking to improve local infrastructure, believing it would benefit the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The producers had counted on the State Department to back the venture, an undertaking that would cost $150,000.

The New Yorker

Stephen A. Schwarzman, a trustee who donated $100 million to the library in 2008 (the main branch now bears his name), said he was glad to see the undertaking back on track.

The New York Times - Books

As the Allies were pushed back, the 48th Battalion undertook a defensive role around Dernancourt, blocking the Amiens Road, before joining the final Allied offensive around Amiens in August.

Wikipedia

Don't watch The Tribe back-to-back with Hard to Be a God (Arrow, 15): the sheer severity of the undertaking could put your back out.

The Guardian - Film

The SE front-end aims at removing acoustic interferences (i.e., reverberation and background noise) while the back-end undertakes the recognition task.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Walliams calls himself "effeminate" and "lonely", and when, a few years back, he undertook the rather amazing feat of swimming the Channel, it was, he said, a sort of "redemption", but he won't be drawn on his adolescent traumas.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

One Indian immigrant, a Harvard graduate and early recruit who is now a Special Forces soldier, was called back to undertake the updated security checks, she said.

The Washington Post

Since Mr Berlusconi undertook to back the executive in a private venture, both men were laying themselves open to accusations of corruption.

The Economist

But perhaps the biggest area of potential disagreement remained how, and when, indebted countries, including the United States, should pull back the extraordinary spending programs they undertook to help their economies.

The New York Times

A comprehensive evaluation of spinal manipulation for low back pain undertaken by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research in the United States concluded that spinal manipulation can be helpful for patients with acute low back problems without radiculopathy when used within the first month of symptoms [ 4].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

She said she was proudest of shrinking the role of the federal department, eliminating regulations she said were outdated and rolling back initiatives undertaken by the Obama administration.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "back the undertaking", ensure that the context clearly defines the "undertaking" to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify the exact project or initiative being supported.

Common error

Avoid using "back the undertaking" in informal or casual contexts. This phrase carries a degree of formality and is more appropriate for business, academic, or news-related writing.

Linguistic Context

Back the undertaking functions as a verb phrase indicating support or endorsement for a specific project or initiative. Ludwig examples show its usage in contexts where backing implies providing resources or approval. This aligns with the Ludwig AI assessment of the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "back the undertaking" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that signifies support or endorsement of a particular project or initiative. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not extremely common, it appears most frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, suggesting a degree of formality. Related phrases include "support the project" and "endorse the venture". When using this phrase, be sure to define the undertaking clearly and maintain a tone consistent with professional or semi-formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

support the project

Replaces "undertaking" with "project", offering a more common and general alternative.

endorse the venture

Substitutes "back" with "endorse" and "undertaking" with "venture", adding a slightly more formal tone.

approve the initiative

Uses "approve" instead of "back" and "initiative" instead of "undertaking", implying formal agreement.

champion the cause

Replaces "back the undertaking" with a more figurative expression, emphasizing advocacy and support.

sponsor the endeavor

Suggests providing financial or material support to the "endeavor".

uphold the commitment

Focuses on maintaining support for an existing commitment rather than a new undertaking.

fund the operation

Specifies financial support for the operation, narrowing the scope of "backing".

aid the enterprise

Emphasizes providing assistance to the "enterprise", suggesting a collaborative effort.

promote the scheme

Uses "promote" to indicate active advocacy and "scheme" which could suggest an element of planning.

ratify the measure

Indicates formal approval, often in a legal or political context.

FAQs

How can I use "back the undertaking" in a sentence?

You can use "back the undertaking" to show support for a specific project. For instance, "The committee decided to "back the undertaking" to improve local infrastructure, believing it would benefit the community."

What are some alternatives to "back the undertaking"?

Alternatives include phrases like "support the project", "endorse the venture", or "approve the initiative", each with slightly different connotations.

Is "back the undertaking" formal or informal?

"Back the undertaking" is generally considered a moderately formal phrase, suitable for professional, academic, or news-related contexts. It might sound out of place in casual conversation.

What does it mean to "back the undertaking"?

To ""back the undertaking"" means to support, endorse, or provide resources for a particular project, venture, or initiative. It implies a commitment to helping ensure its success.