defending a cause

USAGE SUMMARY

"defending a cause" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you are supporting a particular cause, either through words or deeds. For example, "She spent her life defending a cause she believed in".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"They are people defending a cause by sacrificing with their souls, and this is the highest level of noble resistance, " he said, stressing that the death of civilians was regrettable.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

They pretend to defend a cause but have no solutions.

The Guardian

The odd thing about concerted action, when a number of people close ranks and link up to defend a cause, or to utter a cry for change, is how often one voice, for all the force of that communal intent, stands out from the hubbub.

The New Yorker

But Mather and Edwards were defending a doomed cause.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Michael Ayton Durham The rethink of Radio 3 whereby composers would be put in charge of the station reminded me of a rearguard heroically defending a lost cause.

The Guardian

Although Mr. Lippestad acknowledged that he was courting professional suicide by taking the case, the Norwegian public — and even survivors of Mr. Breivik's rampage — appear to accept that he was defending a higher cause than that of the self-confessed killer.

The New York Times

So the straight talker is back, but this time defending an unpopular cause.

The Economist

For them to engage in spending more money to defend a lost cause would be unfortunate to say the least".

The Guardian - Money

They progressed in order to defend a noble cause … to finally liberate us. 3.06pm BST Flags from all the 19 countries attending today's ceremony are now being paraded at Ouistreham.

The Guardian

When deciding how best to defend a legitimate cause, a person must give thought to the appropriate strategy to adopt.

SEP

A company that gives a glowing reference on an employee fired with cause could soon be defending a wrongful termination case.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "defending a cause", consider the specific actions involved in the defense. Are you speaking out, donating time or money, or actively resisting opposition?

Common error

Avoid using "defending a cause" in overly passive constructions. Instead of saying "The cause was being defended by her", opt for "She was defending the cause" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defending a cause" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a verbal noun. It describes the action of protecting or supporting a particular belief, movement, or principle. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "defending a cause" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase that describes the act of actively supporting and protecting a particular belief or movement. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is appropriate for use in numerous contexts, ranging from formal news reports to casual conversations. While various alternative phrases exist, such as "championing a cause" or "advocating for a cause", the specific selection depends on the intended nuance and the degree of emphasis desired. It's important to avoid overuse in passive voice to maintain clarity and impact. Overall, it’s recommended to use "defending a cause" confidently when you wish to emphasize active support and protection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

championing a cause

Emphasizes actively promoting and fighting for a cause.

advocating for a cause

Focuses on publicly supporting and recommending a cause.

supporting a cause

A more general term for providing help and encouragement to a cause.

fighting for a cause

Highlights the struggle and effort involved in supporting a cause.

promoting a cause

Focuses on raising awareness and encouraging others to support a cause.

espousing a cause

Indicates adopting and publicly declaring one's support for a cause.

upholding a cause

Suggests maintaining and defending the principles of a cause.

standing up for a cause

Implies taking a firm and public position in support of a cause.

backing a cause

A more informal way of saying supporting a cause.

aiding a cause

Focuses on providing practical assistance to help a cause succeed.

FAQs

How can I use "defending a cause" in a sentence?

You can use "defending a cause" to describe someone actively supporting a belief or movement. For example, "She dedicated her life to "defending a cause" she deeply believed in".

What are some alternatives to "defending a cause"?

Alternatives include "championing a cause", "advocating for a cause", or "supporting a cause". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "defending a cause" or "fighting for a cause"?

Both phrases are correct, but "fighting for a cause" implies a more active and potentially confrontational approach, while "defending a cause" suggests protecting something already established.

What does it mean to dedicate your life to "defending a cause"?

Dedicating your life to "defending a cause" means making it a central focus of your actions, decisions, and overall purpose. It implies a strong commitment and willingness to sacrifice for that cause.