but rather support

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but rather support" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to contrast two ideas, indicating that one is preferred or more accurate than the other. Example: "The new policy does not restrict freedom of speech, but rather support the open exchange of ideas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Her anger did not signal a request for solutions, she said, but rather support.

The New York Times

"What we want isn't support to continue, but rather support to end this work," Saleh said later in a statement.

Vice

Santorum said the law was not about discrimination against individuals for who they are, but rather support for business owners to abstain from activities based on ideology.

Huffington Post

The choices we make as women do not undermine our loyalty to equality for our gender, but rather support it, nay embolden it.

Huffington Post

With the decision in September 1944 that No. 71 Wing would not advance to Morotai with No. 10 Operational Group, but rather support the Australian 6th Division in the Aitape Wewak campaign, overall control of the wing returned to Northern Command.

Wikipedia

These findings were not entirely coherent with the traditional division into dairy (i.e. isolated from dairy substrates) and non-dairy (i.e. isolated from other sources) strains, but rather support a new classification based on ecological separation between several ecotypes [64] corresponding to "domesticated" and "environmental" strains.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"I would not want to tell" that story, he added, but rather supported "another side which wants another story," about the "incredible transformation" of the advertising, marketing and media businesses.

The New York Times

Our Paris correspondent, Angelique Chrisafis, reports: Francois Hollande, at his first official press conference last night, argued that the French demonstrations "were not questioning our politics, but rather supporting it".

The Guardian - Business

The lack of change doesn't disprove evolution, but rather supports its null hypothesis.

Science Magazine

The results suggest that stimulating the noradrenergic system via RBX does not influence motor performance in general, but rather supports neural circuits involved in visuomotor control of movements.

Neuropsychologia

The rise of Linux, the free operating system software, is not evidence of Microsoft's vulnerability, but rather supports monopoly charges.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “but rather support” to show a corrective or alternative action, especially when the first part of the sentence might imply something else. This highlights a shift in focus or intention.

Common error

A common error is failing to establish a clear contrast before using "but rather support". Without a defined opposite or alternative, the phrase loses its impact and can make the sentence confusing. Always ensure a recognizable contrast or clarification is made.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but rather support" functions as a contrastive conjunction, connecting two opposing ideas where the latter emphasizes a preference or correction. As Ludwig AI points out, it serves to highlight an alternative or preferred action, setting it apart from what might initially be expected.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but rather support" is a useful conjunction to express a contrast, highlighting support as the preferred action or viewpoint. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility. Although relatively uncommon, its usage spans across various contexts like news, science, and formal communications. By understanding its function and potential alternatives, writers can employ this phrase effectively to convey nuanced meanings and steer readers toward desired interpretations. Recognizing its role, as opposed to mere negation, ensures that the phrase enhances, rather than complicates, the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but instead support

Replaces 'rather' with 'instead', providing a slightly more direct alternative while maintaining the contrast.

but to support instead

Changes word order slightly to emphasize the act of supporting as the alternative.

but choose to support

Emphasizes the element of choice in providing support.

but preferentially support

Highlights a preference for supporting something over another option.

but actively support

Emphasizes that the support is not passive, but active and intentional.

but genuinely support

Highlights that the support is authentic and real.

but strongly support

Indicates a high degree or level of support.

but actually support

Emphasizes that the action is 'support', contrary to a possible expectation.

but prioritize support

Highlights the act of prioritizing support.

but rather advocate

Shifts from 'support' to 'advocate', suggesting a more active promotion.

FAQs

How can I use "but rather support" in a sentence?

Use "but rather support" to contrast an initial idea with the preferred action of supporting something. For example, "The goal isn't to criticize, "but rather support" the project's development".

What are some alternatives to "but rather support"?

You can use alternatives such as "but instead support", "but choose to support", or "but actively support" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "but rather to support"?

While grammatically acceptable, "but rather to support" can sound slightly awkward. "But rather support" is generally more concise and flows better in most contexts.

What is the difference between "but not support" and "but rather support"?

"But not support" simply negates the idea of providing support, while ""but rather support"" implies a different, preferred action of supporting something. The latter offers a contrasting alternative.