be supportive of

USAGE SUMMARY

"be supportive of" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to showing support for someone or something. For example, "My family has always been supportive of my decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Be supportive of other support acts.

WikiHow

Then they can be supportive of you".

The New York Times

They're going to be supportive of him.

The New York Times - Sports

He'd be supportive of us doing well".

The Guardian - Sport

No, I wouldn't be supportive of that".

The Guardian

You should be supportive of your friends.

University of California, Berkeley

Murdoch is understood to be supportive of the new role.

The Guardian

"I would be supportive of that effort as well".

The Guardian

We're all going to be supportive of him.

The New York Times - Sports

"I want to be supportive of the president".

The New York Times

"They just need to be supportive of the candidate city.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be supportive of" to express active encouragement and assistance towards someone's goals or endeavors. It implies more than just passive agreement.

Common error

Avoid using "be supportive of" in overly passive constructions. Instead of saying "Support should be given", state actively who is being supportive: "We should "be supportive of" their efforts".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be supportive of" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, describing a state of offering assistance, encouragement, or approval. Ludwig shows that it’s used to express active support towards someone or something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be supportive of" is a versatile expression used to convey encouragement, approval, and assistance across various contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Analysis of numerous examples reveals its prevalence in news, wiki, and academic settings. While alternatives like "encourage" or "back up" exist, "be supportive of" often implies a more active and ongoing commitment. Remember to avoid passive constructions and prioritize clear communication when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encourage

Focuses on inspiring confidence and motivation.

back up

Means to provide assistance or confirmation.

stand by

Indicates loyalty and unwavering support during difficult times.

endorse

Implies public approval and backing.

approve of

Shows agreement or positive regard.

champion

Suggests actively promoting and defending someone or something.

advocate for

Implies publicly recommending or supporting a cause or policy.

uphold

Means to maintain or defend a principle or decision.

bolster

Means to strengthen or support.

aid

Suggests providing help or assistance.

FAQs

How can I use "be supportive of" in a sentence?

You can use "be supportive of" to show encouragement or approval. For instance, "I try to "be supportive of" my friends' decisions, even if I don't always agree with them."

What are some alternatives to "be supportive of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "encourage", "back up", or "endorse".

When should I use "be supportive of" versus "support"?

"Support" is a broader term. "Be supportive of" implies a more active and ongoing encouragement. For example, you might support a cause financially, but "be supportive of" a friend emotionally.

Is it correct to say "be supportive to" instead of "be supportive of"?

No, the correct phrasing is "be supportive of". The preposition "of" is essential to maintain the proper meaning and grammatical structure.