backed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "backed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate support or endorsement for something, often in relation to projects, ideas, or initiatives. Example: "The new policy was backed by several influential organizations, ensuring its successful implementation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Referred to in court as D, she entered a not guilty plea to a charge of intimidation last week while wearing a niqab after the judge backed down from a previous decision that she would have to show her face to be properly identified.

The Guardian

Nazarbayev permitted a relatively high degree of political activity until the emergence of a reform movement called Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan, backed by several wealthy business people, in late 2001.

The Guardian

The White House is attempting to cultivate new ties with Egypt's new Islamist rulers following the removal of the Hosni Mubarak, the hardline president who was formerly backed by Washington, last year.

The Guardian

The truck backed up until it touched the plane.

The Guardian

We are also backed by the British Business Bank, they have a fund called the Aspire fund, for women-led businesses.

The Guardian

A special motion condemning the riots and supporting those on the sharp end of seven days of disorder was backed across the Stormont assembly floor.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

More's description of him, laced with Tudor contempt for the physically imperfect – "little of stature, ill-fetured of limmes, croke-backed" – informed the lines Shakespeare gives to Queen Margaret, who calls him a "poisonous bunch back'd toad" and a "bottled spider".

The Guardian - Film

Around this table two years ago we were divided over Iraq, but by June 2003 there was in place a new UN resolution, a new UN-backed political process to give democracy to Iraqis, which they want, as 8.5 million of them showed by voting for it.

The Guardian

In an interview with Lyse Doucet, Mekdad blamed the continued violence on foreign-backed "terrorist groups".

The Guardian

How did the daily grind of stories on a 24-hour news channel become such a threat to an all-powerful military-backed government?

The Guardian

Tony Abbott has sought to reassure wary colleagues and big mining companies that any government-backed inquiry into Australia's iron ore sector would be a fact-finding mission rather than an attempt to regulate the market.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If using the form "backed by", remember to specify who or what provides the backing to maintain clarity and impact in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "backed" without a clear subject or context. For instance, instead of saying "The project was backed," specify who or what supported the project to maintain clarity and avoid vagueness.

Linguistic Context

The word "backed" functions primarily as a verb in the past tense or as a past participle, often indicating support, approval, or reinforcement. It can also function as an adjective, describing something that has backing or support. Ludwig shows examples in both verb and adjective contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "backed" is a versatile term primarily used as a verb to denote support or endorsement, or as an adjective to describe something that has support. It is grammatically correct and very commonly used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, sports, and business. As Ludwig AI shows, "backed"'s versatility allows it to fit a number of contexts. Remember to ensure that when using "backed", the subject providing the support is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. Using alternatives like "supported" or "endorsed" can add nuance to your writing, depending on the specific context. By following these guidelines, you can confidently and effectively incorporate "backed" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supported

Implies providing assistance or approval to something.

endorsed

Suggests formal approval or recommendation.

reinforced

Indicates strengthening or confirming something.

ratified

Suggests formal validation or approval of an agreement.

upheld

Implies maintaining or defending a decision or principle.

retreated

Indicates moving backwards or withdrawing.

reversed

Suggests changing direction or order.

validated

Implies confirming the accuracy or legitimacy of something.

championed

Indicates actively promoting or defending a cause.

subscribed to

Implies agreement with or adherence to a belief or idea.

FAQs

How can I use "backed" in a sentence?

You can use "backed" to indicate support (e.g., "The proposal was "supported" by the committee"), or to describe something physically (e.g., "The house is "backed by" a forest").

What are some alternatives to the word "backed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "supported", "endorsed", "upheld", or "reinforced".

Is it correct to say "backed by" or should I use another preposition?

"Backed by" is a correct and commonly used construction to indicate support or sponsorship. For example, "The initiative is "backed by" several organizations".

What's the difference between "backed" and "backing"?

"Backed" is the past tense or past participle of the verb "back", while "backing" is a gerund or present participle. For example, "The candidate was "backed" by the union" versus "The union's "backing" was crucial for the candidate".