backbone on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "backbone on" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a concept related to support or strength, but without additional context, it is unclear how to use it appropriately. Example: "We need to ensure we have the backbone on this project to support our team."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Behind the scenes at the White House, I was the one trying to stiffen Bill's backbone on the budget, gays in the military, Bosnia.

The New York Times

Yet our energy grid, the backbone on which all of this gadgetry runs, hasn't improved one bit.

Forbes

Trump loses backbone on drug prices.

The Washington Post

But silence offers shareholders no clues on whether Jenkins has discovered his backbone on bonuses.

The Guardian - Business

It was Mr. Obama, he argued, who showed a lack of backbone on the issue.

The New York Times

He added that the commission chairman's letter "is an interesting example of backbone on the part of Donaldson".

The New York Times

2. With a sharp paring knife, cut 1-inch long pockets in fish parallel to backbone, on each side of it.

The New York Times

"I hope the broadcasters develop a bit of backbone on this because they shouldn't be bullied by the Conservatives throwing their weight around," he said.

The Guardian

Significant effect of the attaching fluorine atoms in the polymer backbone on photovoltaic properties of copolymers was observed.

Dyes and Pigments

That network was born in the form we know today on 30 April 1995, when the NSFnet backbone, on which commercial traffic had been prohibited, was decommissioned.

Harvard University

Devils Backbone, on the other hand, was acquired by Anheuser-Busch in 2016, and the St. Louis-based brewery is the official beer partner at Nationals Park.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing the phrase "backbone on" with alternatives like "reliance on", "foundation for", or "support for" to improve clarity and grammatical correctness. Ensure the replacement maintains the intended meaning within the context.

Common error

Avoid using "backbone on" when you mean something provides structural or fundamental support. "Backbone" typically refers to the spine or a core structure, so ensure your phrasing accurately reflects the intended relationship, opting for phrases like "the backbone of" or "the foundation for" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "backbone on" functions as a prepositional phrase, often attempting to describe a supporting or foundational relationship. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, this construction is not grammatically standard and may lead to confusion. The intended function is to indicate a base or essential component upon which something else depends.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

33%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "backbone on" appears frequently in various contexts, including science, news, and academia, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It often attempts to convey the idea of something being a fundamental support or foundation. Despite its prevalence, it's advisable to use more grammatically sound alternatives such as "reliance on", "foundation for", or "support for". These options offer clarity and precision while maintaining the intended meaning. Therefore, while understanding its occurrence is useful, employing it in writing should be approached with caution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Support for

This is a more direct way to phrase the idea of providing assistance or reinforcement.

Central to

Highlights the importance of something as being essential or indispensable.

Foundation for

Emphasizes the role of a base or groundwork, instead of a literal backbone.

Built upon

Highlights the aspect of constructing something on top of an existing base.

Reliance on

Focuses on dependence as a core meaning instead of structural support.

Core of

Focuses on the essential or most important element.

Relies upon

Similar to dependent upon, but with a slightly more active connotation.

Based upon

Highlights the idea of something being built or developed from a source.

Dependent upon

Stresses the conditional aspect where something relies on another.

Underlying structure of

Emphasizes the concept of a hidden or fundamental base.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as the "backbone"?

The term "backbone" usually refers to the main support or core structure of something. In a figurative sense, it implies strength, stability, and essential support. However, using the term with the preposition "on", like in the phrase "backbone on", is generally considered grammatically incorrect.

How can I use "backbone" correctly in a sentence?

You can use "backbone" correctly by saying something is "the backbone of something else". For example, "Trust is the backbone of any successful relationship." Avoid phrases like "backbone on".

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "backbone on"?

Instead of "backbone on", consider using alternatives such as "reliance on", "foundation for", or "support for" depending on the specific context.

Is "backbone on" grammatically correct?

The phrase "backbone on" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It is better to use phrases like "backbone of" or rephrase the sentence to use a more appropriate preposition or construction.