defending the cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defending the cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing support for a particular issue, belief, or movement, often in a context of advocacy or activism. Example: "The activists spent years defending the cause of environmental protection, rallying support from the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

When the Judge checked him and ordered the remark stricken off the records, he showed a remarkable lack of deference to the Court, but again in such a way that many people might have thought that he was defending the cause of justice and democracy.

The New Yorker

Each year a new crop of books is published, many sustaining the heroic anti-fascist myth of militiamen and the International Brigades defending the cause of democracy and the Spanish republic against Francisco Franco's brutal army, backed by Hitler and Mussolini.

The Economist

As well as support and encouragement, the Men's Longhair Movement also has inspirational "warriors" who have devoted their lives to defending the cause.

Vice

When it comes to defending the cause of the oppressed and immigrant, we no longer have time to sit around and debate.

Huffington Post

"He's out there defending the cause," Romario Ortiz, 27, the son of immigrants from Guatemala and El Salvador, said Tuesday after voting for Garcetti at an Echo Park polling station.

Los Angeles Times

This explains why despite being an obvious command of Jesus, many politically-obsessed Christians are hypocritically silent about defending the cause of the refugee and immigrant, because doing so would be perceived as betraying their bureaucratic interests, which have been so indoctrinated into their faith that they fail to see obvious conflicts of interest.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The attack, he said in another pronouncement, was "to support and defend the cause of the oppressed".

The New York Times

Ronsard eloquently defended the cause of Catholic reform against the Protestant Reformers and their aristocratic allies in his Discours (1562 63).

Encyclopedia Britannica

You, too, can provide assistance and defend the cause of all those who fight for one of the pillars of democracy, freedom of information.

The Guardian

One of his attractions has always been his willingness to argue it out with his opponents: when other neocons went missing in action, he defended the cause.

The Economist

But if we withdrew, I do think that Britain would find it much to defend the cause of human rights in Belarus, say.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "defending the cause", ensure that the noun following 'the cause' is clearly defined or understood in the context. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "defending the cause" in overly passive constructions. Active voice makes your writing more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The cause was being defended by the activists", write "The activists were defending the cause".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defending the cause" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in English writing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "defending the cause" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It is used to convey active support or advocacy for a specific belief or movement, with its register being generally neutral. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using the phrase, clarity and specificity are key to avoiding ambiguity. Alternatives such as "championing the cause" or "supporting the cause" may be considered for nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

championing the cause

Emphasizes active and enthusiastic support, often implying a leadership role.

supporting the cause

A more general term for providing assistance or approval.

advocating for the cause

Highlights the act of publicly recommending or arguing for a cause.

fighting for the cause

Suggests a more active and potentially combative approach to defending a belief.

promoting the cause

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

upholding the cause

Implies maintaining or defending the principles of a cause, often against opposition.

espousing the cause

Indicates embracing and publicly supporting a cause.

standing up for the cause

Suggests taking a firm and visible position in support of a cause.

protecting the cause

Emphasizes safeguarding a cause from harm or opposition.

furthering the cause

Highlights the act of advancing or contributing to the progress of a cause.

FAQs

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

You can use "defending the cause" to describe actively supporting or advocating for a particular belief, movement, or person. For example, "He dedicated his life to defending the cause of human rights".

What are some alternatives to "defending the cause"?

You can use alternatives like "championing the cause", "supporting the cause", or "advocating for the cause" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "defending the cause" and "fighting for the cause"?

"Defending the cause" generally implies protecting or upholding a belief, while "fighting for the cause" suggests a more active and potentially combative approach.

Which is more appropriate: "defending the cause" or "defending a cause"?

"Defending the cause" is typically used when referring to a specific, well-defined movement or belief system. "Defending a cause" might be used for a more general or individual instance.