be on his side

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be on his side" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express support or agreement with someone, often in a context of conflict or disagreement. Example: "In the debate about the new policy, I decided to be on his side because I believed his arguments were more compelling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

On Sunday, for one day only, two of Kuwik's supporters — one on the sideline, one in the stands — will not be on his side.

The New York Times - Sports

"I think he thought that, institutionally, journalists - and I think you can argue with some cause - were not going to be on his side, for a number of reasons, not just political ones.

Huffington Post

Luck seems to be on his side.

The New York Times

Fate seemed to be on his side.

The New York Times - Magazine

History appears to be on his side.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm not obliged to be on his side.

The New Yorker

He likes the announcers to be on his side.

The New Yorker

The evidence of history seems to be on his side.

The Economist

And history would seem to be on his side.

The Guardian - Film

If he killed her, we'd probably be on his side.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

At only 33, time should be on his side.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "be on his side" to clearly indicate support for a person, especially in situations where there are opposing viewpoints or conflicts.

Common error

Avoid using "be on his side" when you only agree with someone on a specific issue, but not necessarily support them in a broader sense. Instead, clarify the extent of your agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be on his side" functions as a verbal phrase indicating alignment or support for a particular person. Ludwig examples showcase its use in contexts ranging from political endorsements to personal relationships. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be on his side" is a common and grammatically sound way to express support or alignment with someone. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and Ludwig examples illustrate its frequent use in News & Media. Alternatives like "support him" or "stand by him" offer similar meanings. When using this phrase, be mindful of the level of commitment you're implying and ensure it accurately reflects your stance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

support him

This alternative is a more direct and concise way of expressing support.

stand by him

This suggests loyalty and support, especially during difficult times.

back him up

This implies providing assistance or reinforcement to someone.

side with him

This explicitly indicates choosing to support one person over another.

be in his corner

This idiom suggests offering encouragement and support.

be supportive of him

This emphasizes the act of providing support.

be in agreement with him

This alternative focuses on shared opinions or beliefs.

be allied with him

This suggests a formal alliance or partnership.

be a proponent of his ideas

This indicates active promotion and advocacy for someone's views.

champion his cause

This conveys strong support and advocacy for a particular cause or belief.

FAQs

How can I use "be on his side" in a sentence?

You can use "be on his side" to indicate support for someone. For instance, "During the argument, I chose to be on his side because I agreed with his reasoning."

What are some alternatives to saying "be on his side"?

You can use alternatives like "support him", "stand by him", or "side with him" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "be on his side"?

It's appropriate to use "be on his side" when you want to convey that you are supporting someone, especially in a situation where there is a disagreement or conflict.

What does it mean when someone says "time is on his side"?

When someone says "time is on his side", it means that they believe that a person will eventually succeed because they have enough time available to achieve their goals. It doesn't imply direct support but rather that circumstances favor the person’s long-term prospects.