bolster confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

"bolster confidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb phrase used to describe a situation in which one's self-confidence is strengthened or built up. For example: The performance review gave her the opportunity to bolster her confidence in her abilities.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Some" participants also argued that new measures would bolster confidence.

The New York Times

Madrid is also trying to bolster confidence in its banks.

The New York Times

US Airways has begun a campaign to bolster confidence.

The New York Times

pricing, in an effort to bolster confidence among investors, Dow Jones Newswires reports.

The New York Times

The Fed seeks to bolster confidence in banks with new stress tests.

The New York Times

Rising oil prices have also helped bolster confidence in Russia's resource-dependent economy.

The New York Times

The Bush administration continued its efforts to bolster confidence among consumers and investors.

The New York Times

Today's statement should bolster confidence that Monitise is turning into a sizeable company.

The Guardian - Business

To further bolster confidence, President Bush should join in standing behind Argentina's economic reforms.

The New York Times

A resolution of the crisis could bolster confidence in these battered economies, and lead to a return to positive growth.

The New York Times

But the White House is out to fight cyberphobia with an initiative intended to bolster confidence in e-commerce.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bolster confidence" when you want to express the idea of strengthening someone's belief in themselves or in a particular situation. It's applicable in contexts ranging from personal growth to economic stability.

Common error

Avoid using "bolster confidence" when the intent is simply to provide information or clarification without necessarily aiming to increase someone's self-assurance. For example, providing data might clarify a situation, but it doesn't automatically "bolster confidence" unless it leads to a greater sense of security or belief.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "bolster confidence" is as a verb phrase, where "bolster" acts as a transitive verb taking "confidence" as its direct object. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bolster confidence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys the action of strengthening belief or self-assurance. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is widely accepted. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, as well as in scientific and business writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the context genuinely involves enhancing confidence rather than simply clarifying information. Alternatives like "increase assurance" or "enhance self-esteem" can be used to add nuance, while remembering that the correct preposition is always "in". Overall, "bolster confidence" is a versatile and reliable phrase for expressing the act of reinforcing belief.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase assurance

Emphasizes the act of making someone more certain or sure.

enhance self-esteem

Focuses on improving one's sense of self-worth and value.

fortify belief

Highlights the strengthening of a conviction or faith in something.

cultivate certainty

Suggests a gradual development of a state of being sure.

build trust

Emphasizes establishing a firm reliance on someone or something.

foster conviction

Focuses on encouraging and nurturing a strong belief.

shore up faith

Implies providing support to prevent a decline in belief.

reinforce security

Highlights strengthening feelings of safety and stability.

boost morale

Focuses on improving the overall spirit and enthusiasm of a group or individual.

cement resolve

Implies solidifying a firm decision or determination.

FAQs

How can I use "bolster confidence" in a sentence?

You can use "bolster confidence" to describe actions that increase someone's self-assurance. For example, "Positive feedback can "bolster confidence" in employees" or "The government implemented new policies to "bolster confidence" in the economy".

What are some alternatives to "bolster confidence"?

Alternatives to "bolster confidence" include "increase assurance", "enhance self-esteem", or "fortify belief", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "bolster confidence in" or "bolster confidence on"?

The correct preposition to use with "bolster confidence" is "in". So, it's "bolster confidence in" something or someone.

What's the difference between "bolster confidence" and "build confidence"?

"Bolster confidence" suggests reinforcing existing confidence, while "build confidence" implies creating confidence where it may not have existed before. Both aim to increase self-assurance, but their focus differs slightly.