backing by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "backing by" is not correct in English.
The correct expression would typically be "backed by" or "backing of." Example: "The project is backed by several prominent investors."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The plan will need backing by more than business leaders.

The New York Times

Mr. Orban has won political backing by insisting that enough is enough.

The New York Times

Walpole's policies were subsequently given a theoretical backing by Alexander Hamilton, the first US treasury secretary.

The Guardian - Opinion

But would he have won such enthusiastic backing by promising to "nationalise" schools?

The Guardian

His rivalry with Handel and their backing by opposed political and social factions ended in defeat for Bononcini.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He said Mr. Schundler had sought the club's backing by answering its questionnaire and sitting for a lengthy interview.

The New York Times

Differences have also emerged among the red shirts over the best way to challenge the government, with its apparently solid backing by the military.

The New York Times

Most of these initiatives will not be able to depend on backing by military force, as so much of American policy in Iraq has until now.

The New Yorker

He points to Mr Assad's continued backing by Russia and Iran, his main allies, and regrets that America and Britain have refused to arm rebel fighters.

The Economist

But his backing by the Kochs and others suggests that times have changed, and that libertarianism, like the Kochs, has moved closer to Rand.

The New Yorker

A new reorganization took place after Durant, with backing by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, regained control in 1916.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer active voice: structure your sentences with the entity that offers the backing as the subject of the sentence for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "backing by" as it is grammatically incorrect. Use "backed by" or "backing of" instead. For example, instead of "The project's backing by the government is crucial", write "The project is backed by the government" or "The project has the backing of the government".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "backing by" functions as a prepositional phrase, often intended to denote support or endorsement. However, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights that the correct forms are "backed by" (passive voice) or "backing of". The intended function is to show that someone or something is supported by another entity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "backing by" is frequently used across various sources, including reputable news outlets and encyclopedias, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests that the correct forms are "backed by" or "backing of". Although commonly encountered, especially in news and media, it's best to use ""backed by"" or ""backing of"" to ensure grammatical accuracy and maintain a professional tone. Correcting this phrase will enhance clarity and credibility in writing. Consider alternatives like "supported by" or "endorsed by" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

backed by

Corrects the grammatical structure by using the past participle form of the verb "back".

backing of

Restructures the phrase to use "backing" as a noun with the preposition "of".

supported by

Replaces "backing" with a synonym "supported", which fits better grammatically.

endorsed by

Uses "endorsed" to convey a formal type of support or approval.

sponsored by

Implies financial support or sponsorship.

with the support of

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the act of supporting.

with the endorsement of

Similar to 'with the support of', but emphasizes endorsement.

having the backing of

Emphasizes the state of possessing support.

with the assistance of

Suggests a more active form of help.

underwritten by

Implies financial guarantee or insurance.

FAQs

What's the correct way to use the phrase?

The correct forms are "backed by", as in "The initiative is "backed by" several organizations", or "backing of", as in "The project has the "backing of" the community".

What can I say instead of "backing by"?

You can use phrases like "supported by", "endorsed by", or "sponsored by" depending on the context.

Is "backing by" grammatically correct?

No, "backing by" is not grammatically correct. The proper phrasing is either ""backed by"" (verb form) or ""backing of"" (noun form).

How does "backed by" differ from "backing of"?

"Backed by" is a passive verb phrase (e.g., "The plan is "backed by" investors"), while "backing of" uses "backing" as a noun (e.g., "The initiative has the "backing of" the community"). The choice depends on the sentence structure.