back them with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "back them with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to supporting or reinforcing something, such as an argument, decision, or action, with additional evidence or resources. Example: "To strengthen our proposal, we need to back them with solid data and research findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Shouldn't the Met champion composers of similar promise and back them with major commitments?

The New York Times - Arts

The rebels are appealing to the international community to back them with weapons as well as money if they want to avoid a lengthy conflict in Libya.

Independent

Recognizing that the Bush administration was unwilling to back them with force, they began to compromise and move toward reconciliation with Syria, which backs Hezbollah.

The New York Times

The governor did not say how much money the funds should have at their disposal and whether California would back them with taxpayer funds.

The New York Times

As a society, we approve of charities that strive to become more commercially efficient and back them with publicly funded capacity building and grants.

The Guardian

You'd never back them with confidence, but there's a glow coming off the Gold Coast at the moment that's not down to fool's gold.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Many Middle East governments have backed them with loans and guarantees.

The Guardian

Once decisions are made, government backs them with resources and, at strategic moments, with trade protection.

Harvard Business Review

His father had made those same promises, but never backed them with concrete actions.

The New York Times

Each time the authority issued more bonds, the city backed them with a powerful "full faith and credit" guarantee.

The New York Times

The orchestra backed them with harmonized long tones, or sometimes with its own short frenzies of plucking and wailing.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "back them with", ensure that the supporting elements (evidence, resources, etc.) are clearly and directly relevant to what you are supporting. Strong alignment enhances the impact.

Common error

Avoid using "back them with" when the supporting evidence is weak or circumstantial. Overstating the strength of the support can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back them with" serves as a phrasal verb indicating the action of providing support, reinforcement, or resources to something or someone. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "back them with" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that conveys the action of supporting or reinforcing something with tangible resources or evidence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, more formal alternatives like "support them with" or "reinforce them with" may be favored in highly professional contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the phrase plays a persuasive role by adding weight and credibility to claims or arguments. Therefore, when you aim to strengthen an idea or proposal, "back them with" is a viable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

support them with

Replaces "back" with a more general term for providing assistance or validation.

reinforce them with

Emphasizes strengthening or bolstering something through additional means.

underpin them with

Suggests providing a foundational basis or support.

bolster them with

Implies strengthening or supporting with a specific addition or enhancement.

fortify them with

Indicates making something stronger or more secure through additional measures.

substantiate them with

Highlights the act of providing evidence to prove or support a claim.

validate them with

Focuses on confirming the accuracy or legitimacy of something.

corroborate them with

Emphasizes confirming or supporting a statement or theory with additional evidence.

augment them with

Suggests increasing or enhancing something by adding to it.

supply them with

Focuses on providing what is needed to support or sustain something.

FAQs

What does "back them with" mean?

The phrase "back them with" means to support or reinforce something or someone using evidence, resources, or other forms of assistance.

How can I use "back them with" in a sentence?

You can use "back them with" to show that you're providing support or reinforcement for an idea, argument, or person. For example, "To strengthen our proposal, we need to "back them with" solid data and research findings."

What are some alternatives to "back them with"?

You can use alternatives like "support them with", "reinforce them with", or "underpin them with" depending on the specific context.

Is "back them with" formal or informal?

The phrase "back them with" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though slightly more formal alternatives might be preferred in highly professional or academic settings.