for backup

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for backup" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that serves as a support or alternative in case the primary option fails or is unavailable. Example: "I always keep a hard drive for backup in case my computer crashes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He radioed for backup.

The New York Times

The officers radioed for backup.

The New Yorker

He again called for backup.

The New York Times

They called for backup.

The Washington Post

Radio for backup.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

For Backup period with ARS.

Harvard University

What do we do for backup care?

The New York Times

Mr. Nemechek called for backup.

The New York Times

The officer called for backup.

The New York Times

The police called for backup.

The New York Times

They called for backup and waited.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing critical systems or processes, explicitly state the "for backup" measure to demonstrate thorough planning and risk mitigation.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "We have a system for backup". Always specify what the backup is intended to support, such as "We have a generator for backup power in case of outages".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for backup" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the purpose or reason for something. It clarifies that an item, system, or process is intended to serve as a reserve or alternative. As shown by Ludwig, it is usually attached to a noun that it helps clarify.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for backup" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe something serving as a reserve or alternative, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its primary function is to indicate the purpose of a secondary option, ensuring availability or reliability. While suitable for various registers, it frequently appears in news, academic, and wiki contexts. When using "for backup", ensure clarity by specifying what it supports and avoid redundancy. Related phrases include "as a reserve", "as a contingency", and "as a fallback".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a fallback

This alternative directly indicates something to turn to when the primary option fails.

as a reserve

This alternative emphasizes the function of being kept in reserve or as a standby.

in reserve

Implies keeping something available for future use if needed.

on standby

Emphasizes the state of readiness and immediate availability of the backup.

as a contingency

This phrase highlights the planning aspect, suggesting preparation for unexpected events.

in case of emergency

This alternative specifies the situation in which the backup is needed, focusing on urgent scenarios.

as a safeguard

This option stresses the protective nature of having a backup, ensuring safety or security.

for redundancy

This phrase is more technical, often used in IT or engineering contexts to indicate system duplication for reliability.

as a substitute

Highlights the ability to replace the primary option with the alternative.

as a second string

This idiom suggests a less preferred but still viable option when the first choice is unavailable.

FAQs

How can I use "for backup" in a sentence?

You can use "for backup" to describe something intended as a reserve or alternative. For example, "I keep an external hard drive "for backup" in case my computer fails."

What are some alternatives to saying "for backup"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "as a reserve", "as a contingency", or "in case of emergency" instead of "for backup".

Is it redundant to say "backup for backup"?

Yes, saying "backup for backup" can be redundant. It's better to specify what the initial backup is for. For example, instead of "a backup for backup power", say "a generator "for backup power"".

When should I use "for backup" versus "as a backup"?

"For backup" typically functions as an adverbial phrase, indicating the purpose, while "as a backup" functions as a prepositional phrase, describing the role. For example: "I use this drive for backup" (purpose) versus "This drive serves "as a backup"" (role).