cheer on

USAGE SUMMARY

"cheer on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It's usually used to encourage someone in a task or competition, like in the following example: "The crowd cheered him on as he began the race."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dance, sing along, cheer on the band.

The New Yorker

Where do you go to cheer on the world's game?

The New York Times

To cheer on the winners and mock the losers?

The New York Times - Style

Spectators are welcome to come and cheer on the dippers.

The Guardian - Travel

Give me a cheer on three if you're Scottish!

The Guardian

See the roundups below for who to cheer on.

The Guardian - Sport

They boo the bad guys and cheer on the heroes.

The New York Times

Fans of Noarlunga cheer on the Mighty Shoes.

The Guardian - Sport

"Everybody gets in the car," she said, "and mom and dad both cheer on the kid".

The New York Times

Tweet your questions and comments and cheer on your favourite idea throughout the day.

The Guardian

Nor would the army cheer on peace talks for long if TTP attacks continue.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cheer on" when you want to express enthusiastic support for someone's efforts, especially in a competitive or challenging situation.

Common error

Avoid using "cheer on" in situations where a more formal or subdued expression of support is needed. Reserve it for contexts where active encouragement is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cheer on" is that of a transitive phrasal verb. It requires an object (the person or team being cheered) and expresses the act of giving encouragement and support. Ludwig provides many examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

10%

Huffington Post

8%

Less common in

Vice

3%

Los Angeles Times

3%

Forbes

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "cheer on" is a grammatically sound and highly prevalent expression used to convey enthusiastic support or encouragement. As highlighted by Ludwig, it’s commonly found in news and media, reflecting its use in describing public support, particularly in sports. While versatile, it suits informal to neutral contexts best. Remember to reserve it for scenarios warranting active encouragement and draw inspiration from the diverse real-world examples offered by Ludwig to ensure proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

root for

An informal phrase expressing strong support.

encourage

Implies giving hope and confidence.

support

A general term for giving assistance or encouragement.

spur on

Implies urging someone to greater effort.

urge on

Similar to 'spur on', but can also imply gentle encouragement.

rally behind

Suggests gathering support as a group.

boost

To help or encourage (something) to increase or improve.

applaud

Shows approval, often through clapping.

champion

To publicly support or defend a cause or person.

patronize

Support with money, gifts, or endorsement. Can be used positively.

FAQs

How do you use "cheer on" in a sentence?

Use "cheer on" to describe actively encouraging someone, for instance: "The fans "cheer on" the team during the game".

What's a similar phrase to "cheer on"?

Alternatives to "cheer on" include "root for", "support", or "encourage", depending on the specific context and level of enthusiasm you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "cheer at" instead of "cheer on"?

While you can "cheer at" someone, it usually implies directing shouts or cheers toward them. "Cheer on" specifically means to encourage or support someone. The nuance makes a significant difference in meaning.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "cheer on"?

Avoid using "cheer on" in formal or somber situations where a more subdued expression of support is appropriate. For example, a formal business meeting would not be an appropriate context, or any mournful events.