be backed by

USAGE SUMMARY

"be backed by" is a grammatically correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
It means to be supported or endorsed by someone or something. Example: The new policy proposal will be backed by extensive research and data analysis.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They'll be backed by the Roots Radics.

The New York Times

The pair will be backed by an orchestra.

The New Yorker

The business will be backed by new partners.

The New York Times

And scientific knowledge must be backed by reason.

The Guardian - Books

The statements must be backed by action, she said.

The New York Times

Words must be backed by action and policies.

The New York Times

"But I also know that diplomacy needs to be backed by force sometimes, and inspections need to be backed by pressure".

The New York Times

He'll be backed by an eighteen-piece big band for a night of rockabilly and swing.

The New Yorker

That's also the reason he appears to be backed by most secular parties.

The New York Times

After the reorganization, the muni bond policies continued to be backed by the full company.

The New York Times

"However much people support and encourage women, it has got to be backed by resources.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be backed by", ensure the source of support or endorsement is credible and relevant to the subject matter. This strengthens the claim or statement being made.

Common error

Avoid using "be backed by" when the support is minimal or uncertain. Overstating support can weaken your argument if the backing is later found to be insufficient or unreliable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be backed by" functions as a passive construction indicating support or endorsement. It highlights the source or entity providing the backing, as seen in Ludwig's examples where ideas, statements, or actions are supported by evidence, resources, or individuals. The auxiliary verb "be" is conjugated according to tense and subject number.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be backed by" is a commonly used passive construction to indicate support or endorsement. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct. It's frequently found in news and media, but also appears in science and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the source of support is both credible and relevant to strengthen your argument. Be mindful of overstating the level of support to maintain credibility. The phrase serves to convey legitimacy by highlighting the backing entity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be supported by

Focuses on the provision of assistance or resources, differing from endorsement.

be endorsed by

Implies formal approval or recommendation, making it more specific than simple support.

be bolstered by

Emphasizes the strengthening or reinforcement of something, making it about improving resilience or strength.

be reinforced by

Similar to bolstered, but may imply adding to the strength after the fact.

be underwritten by

Suggests financial backing or a guarantee of funds, making it more specific to financial contexts.

be validated by

Stresses the confirmation of truth or accuracy, making it suitable for factual claims.

be championed by

Implies active and vocal support, often suggesting advocacy.

be upheld by

Indicates that something is maintained or defended, often in reference to a principle or decision.

be sustained by

Highlights the idea of something being maintained or continued, suggesting long-term support.

be ratified by

Suggests formal approval, often by a governing body, making it a more specific type of endorsement.

FAQs

How can I use "be backed by" in a sentence?

Use "be backed by" to indicate that something is supported or endorsed by something else. For example: "The proposal will "be backed by" extensive research".

What's the difference between "be backed by" and "be supported by"?

"Be backed by" often implies endorsement or validation, while "be supported by" focuses more on the provision of resources or assistance. The nuance depends on the context.

What can I say instead of "be backed by"?

You can use alternatives like "be supported by", "be endorsed by", or "be underwritten by" depending on the context and the type of support you want to convey.

Is it better to use "is backed by" or "are backed by"?

Use "is backed by" for singular subjects and "are backed by" for plural subjects. For example: "The proposal is backed by research" vs "The proposals are backed by data".