backer

USAGE SUMMARY

"backer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a verb or a noun. Example sentence: She was a great backer of the new law.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He strongly denied all the charges put to him and pointed out that he was a strong backer of the peace process.

The Guardian

Gillard backer Gary Gray said he had agreed to stay on as resources minister, but was still blunt in his assessment that Gillard's leadership had been killed off by a constant campaign of destabilisation by Rudd supporters.

The Guardian

It made an arthouse star of Soderbergh and a heavyweight of his backer, Harvey Weinstein, whose studio, Miramax, would come to define quality American cinema over much of the next decade and, perhaps, help to destroy it too (read Indiewire's excellent piece on sex, lies for more on its legacy).

The Guardian - Film

It is the largest single donation that the party, already used to the largesse of its most established backer, Sir Brian Souter, the millionaire founder of the Stagecoach transport group, has had.

The Guardian

His remarks were made in an interview with a website owned by US casino magnate Sheldon Adelson - Netanyahu's biggest backer - and were being viewed by his political opponents as a last-ditch effort to sway voters away from the rival far-right Jewish Home party of Naftali Bennett.

The Guardian

The information minister, Brown Mpinganjira, a key backer of Banda policies, has dismissed the claims by Chinoko, saying it was a "plan to blackmail the president so that she stops the investigations currently under way".

The Guardian

So it seems this year the Blairs are off to Barbados to stay with either (depending on your choice of daily newspaper) top Christian and Wimbledon a cappella ace Sir Cliff Richard (a £3 million mansion) or leading Tory backer and JCB digger maestro Sir Anthony Bamford at his Heron Bay paddette (no price available, but recently refurbished for countless millions).

The Guardian - Travel

With Bell, Burnside now advises the Firtash Foundation, overseen by the billionaire Ukrainian oligarch Dmytro Firtash, a backer of the ousted president and Putin ally Viktor Yanukovych.

The Guardian

The deal needs to be approved by the owners of 90% of Global IP Solutions' stock, but the companies say they already have the support of shareholders who own more than 50% of the company, including backer Kistefos Venture Capital.

The Guardian

A statement from the Guardian, a backer of 10 10, which exclusively showcased No Pressure, said: "The film may have been somewhat tasteless, but it was an imaginative attempt to challenge public apathy over climate change.

The Guardian

Trade union Unite was Labour's biggest backer, giving £3.5m in the first quarter of the year.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "backer", consider whether a more specific term like "sponsor" or "financier" might better convey the nature of the support being provided.

Common error

Avoid mistaking "backer" (a supporter) with "background" (contextual information). Ensure your word choice clearly reflects the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The word "backer" primarily functions as a noun, referring to an individual or entity that supports someone or something, often financially. Ludwig's examples demonstrate this usage in various contexts, such as political endorsements and financial contributions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "backer" is a commonly used noun to describe someone who supports a person, cause, or organization, often financially. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. The word appears frequently in news and media, formal business contexts, and science, and is considered neutral in register. While alternatives like "supporter", "sponsor", and "financier" can be used, choosing the most specific term is advisable to convey the exact nature of the support provided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supporter

Indicates general approval and encouragement, differing from "backer" which often implies more active assistance.

sponsor

Suggests a formal agreement to provide resources, which may be financial or in-kind, for an event, activity, or organization.

patron

Implies a long-term or recurring support, often of a more personal nature, to an individual or cause.

financier

Specifically refers to someone who provides monetary support, highlighting the financial aspect of backing.

benefactor

Emphasizes the act of doing good by providing help, often in the form of donations or gifts.

promoter

Focuses on actively advocating for and raising awareness about a cause or product, differing from simply providing support.

advocate

Highlights public support and championing of a cause, differing from the often private nature of being a "backer".

underwriter

Specifically denotes someone who assumes financial risk, especially in insurance or finance.

investor

Indicates financial support with the expectation of receiving a return.

stakeholder

Suggests someone with an interest or concern in the success of an organization or project, regardless of financial contribution.

FAQs

How to use "backer" in a sentence?

You can use "backer" to refer to someone who supports a person, cause, or organization. For example: "He is a strong backer of the peace process."

What can I say instead of "backer"?

You can use alternatives like "supporter", "sponsor", or "financier" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "backer" or "backer's"?

Both are correct, but they have different meanings. "Backer" is a noun, while "backer's" is the possessive form, indicating something belonging to the backer.

What's the difference between "backer" and "benefactor"?

"Backer" generally refers to someone who supports a cause or person, while "benefactor" implies someone who provides significant financial assistance as an act of charity.