bolster support

USAGE SUMMARY

"bolster support" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to increase or reinforce support. You can use it in any situation where you want to emphasize the act of strengthening or adding to existing support. For example: - The company launched a new marketing campaign to bolster support for their new product. - The politician made promises to bolster support from key voters in the upcoming election. - The team hired a new coach to bolster support and improve their chances of winning the championship.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That brought a confidence crisis and a series of coordinated steps to bolster support.

The New York Times

Bill Clinton's formula "safe, legal and rare" helped bolster support for legal abortion.

The Economist

"I think this is more of a play to bolster support among NYSE shareholders," he said.

The New York Times

Sunday's opening -- on schedule -- may help bolster support from the governments of Germany's constituent states.

The New York Times

The LDP old guard continues to use government cash to bolster support and stave off other structural reforms.

The Economist

The company's chief executive, Tony Hayward, has been traveling around the world to bolster support from major stakeholders.

The New York Times

The Greek prime minister, Antonis Samaras, plans to address the nation this week to bolster support for the austerity package.

The New York Times

When the treaty encountered hostile criticism, he gambled on a popular referendum in France to bolster support.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Liu hopes to bolster support for a shareholder proposal that would split JPMorgan's chief executive and chairman roles.

The New York Times

Sixty percent of Pakistanis polled opposed such a deal, which American officials had hoped would bolster support for Mr. Musharraf.

The New York Times

The inspection coincided with Prime Minister Tony Blair's visit to bolster support for the 1998 Good Friday accord.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bolster support", clearly identify what you are trying to increase support for. Be specific about the target of the support.

Common error

While "bolster support" is generally acceptable, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "get behind" or "back up" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "bolster support" is as a verb phrase where "bolster" acts as a transitive verb taking "support" as its direct object. Ludwig's AI confirms it's a correct and usable phrase, functioning to describe the action of strengthening or reinforcing something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bolster support" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that means to strengthen or increase support for something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's widely accepted across various contexts, though it tends toward a more formal tone. Its primary function is to describe the action of reinforcing existing support, often seen in news, media, and business settings. Related phrases include "encourage support" and "reinforce support". When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the object of support and consider the context to avoid sounding overly formal. While "bolster support" is usually correct, reserve it for professional or neutral writing instead of casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shore up support

Offers a very similar meaning to "bolster support" but may imply addressing weaknesses or vulnerabilities.

reinforce support

Highlights the act of strengthening what is already present, similar to "bolster" but with a slightly different nuance.

cement support

Suggests making support firm and lasting, ensuring long-term commitment.

encourage support

Replaces "bolster" with a more gentle approach, implying motivation rather than forceful strengthening.

stimulate support

Focuses on initiating or accelerating support, highlighting an active encouragement.

build support

Emphasizes the creation or growth of support from the ground up.

sustain support

Shifts the emphasis to maintaining existing support over time.

spur support

Implies a sudden or quick increase in support, driven by a specific event or action.

cultivate support

Emphasizes the careful nurturing and development of support over time.

revive support

Suggests bringing back support that has waned or diminished.

FAQs

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

You can use "bolster support" to describe actions taken to strengthen approval or assistance for a cause, idea, or person. For example, "The campaign aimed to "bolster support" for the new policy".

What are some alternatives to "bolster support"?

Alternatives include "encourage support", "reinforce support", or "shore up support", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "bolster support" formal or informal?

"Bolster support" leans towards the formal side. While acceptable in most contexts, consider simpler options in casual conversations, such as "back up" or "get behind".

What's the difference between "bolster support" and "increase support"?

"Bolster support" implies strengthening existing support, while "increase support" simply suggests making the amount of support larger. The first can denote an action to reinforce something already there, while the second might focus on enlisting new allies or fans.