espoused

USAGE SUMMARY

"espoused" is a valid and commonly used word in written English.
Espoused, when used as a verb, means to take up or support a cause, such as a belief or idea. For example: "The mayor espoused the rights of the LGBTQ+ community throughout his campaign."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In some respects, they were ahead of Ukip in that they espoused these reactionary political views years before the party gained any traction.

The Guardian

The policies being espoused by the government are badly thought out and unworkable.

The Guardian

The scientist, Wei-Hock Soon, has espoused on television and before Congress alternate theories of climate change, including a discredited theory that the sun's energy explain global warming.

The Guardian

Gohmert, a reliably outspoken presence at committee hearings and on news chatshows, has espoused unorthodox views on a broad range of topics.

The Guardian

The US administration occasionally espoused the rhetoric of democratisation to silence an American constituency increasingly critical of the kingdom's radical interpretation of Islam and its record on human rights.

The Guardian

He said Labour espoused "tax breaks for a favoured few", subsidies to the energy companies, bailouts for bankers and allowed corporate lobbyists to "hover around the party like flies".

The Guardian

Paranoia towards the outside world, ingrained prejudice and discrimination towards homosexuals, fundamentalist Roman Catholicism, climate change denial and hostility towards Germany are some of the views espoused by the Kaczy´nskis' party, which is out of sync with a dynamic, modernising Poland where 80% of people like the EU.

The Guardian

But in Islam's holiest city, there is increasingly little sign of the prophet's legacy – or the frugal life he espoused.

The Guardian - Arts

Marinetti died just five months before Mussolini was executed, their lives seemingly forever linked.The second, more important reason why futurism has been largely ignored in America is the conventional art-history narrative that modernism took a strictly French road after Picasso, moving on to cubism and the French artists who espoused it.

The Economist

AMONG the "manifestly silly and occasionally harmful positions" espoused by libertarians, "the idea of spontaneous order might be the silliest and most harmful of all", says Damon Linker in a much-read post at the Week.

The Economist

Their alternative explanation, based on a notion of Thai uniqueness, seems to have been pulled out of a hat like a rabbit.There is an obvious resemblance to the concept of "Asian values", such as were espoused by Mahathir Mohamad, who ran Malaysia for 22 years.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "espoused", ensure the subject genuinely supports the idea or cause they are described as espousing. It implies a deeper commitment than simply mentioning or acknowledging something.

Common error

Avoid using "espoused" to describe someone merely mentioning an idea without demonstrating genuine support or action. "Mentioned", "acknowledged", or "referred to" may be more accurate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "espoused" is as a verb in the past tense or past participle form. It indicates that someone has adopted or publicly supported a particular belief, cause, or way of life. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "espoused" is a verb frequently used to describe the act of adopting or supporting a particular belief or cause. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and common usage across diverse sources, primarily in news, formal business, and science-related contexts. While not strictly formal, its neutral tone makes it suitable for various writing styles. Remember to use "espoused" when the subject genuinely supports the idea being conveyed, and consider alternatives like "advocated" or "championed" for nuanced meanings. As the examples illustrate, "espoused" effectively communicates commitment and active endorsement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

espouse

Infinitive of the word, which changes the tense of the verb but maintains the core meaning.

advocated

Focuses on actively promoting or pleading for a cause or idea.

championed

Implies strong support and defense of a cause, often against opposition.

embraced

Suggests a warm and enthusiastic acceptance of an idea or belief.

endorsed

Indicates formal approval or support, often in an official capacity.

supported

A general term indicating approval and active assistance.

promoted

Emphasizes active efforts to encourage the adoption or spread of an idea.

upheld

Implies maintaining or defending a principle or standard.

defended

Focuses on protecting an idea or belief from attack or criticism.

adopted

Indicates taking up or embracing something as one's own.

FAQs

How to use "espoused" in a sentence?

Use "espoused" to indicate that someone has adopted or supports a particular belief, cause, or way of life. For instance, "The politician "espoused" a platform of economic reform" shows active support.

What can I say instead of "espoused"?

Alternatives to "espoused" include "advocated", "championed", or "embraced", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Each carries a slightly different connotation regarding the intensity and nature of the support.

Which is correct, "espoused" or "expoused"?

"Espoused" is the correct spelling. "Expoused" is a misspelling and should not be used.

What's the difference between "espoused" and "supported"?

"Espoused" implies a more active and public declaration of support, suggesting the person has adopted the belief as their own. "Supported" is a more general term indicating approval, which might not involve public advocacy.