general support for

USAGE SUMMARY

"general support for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe general agreement or approval of someone or something. For example, "The local government voiced their general support for the proposed changes to the city's infrastructure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Several business leaders expressed general support for the commission's plan.

The New York Times

But the poll also found general support for unions.

The Guardian

Exploratory factor analyses provided general support for their conceptual basis.

General Hospital Psychiatry

European finance ministers expressed their general support for intervention at a meeting in Versailles this month.

The New York Times

Indeed, many students' questions indicated a general support for the idea of private investment accounts.

The New York Times

But in general, support for banning speakers from campuses has trended upward over time.

The Washington Post

He has since expressed general support for bringing the sculpture back to the trade center.

The New York Times

The transformation of attitudes has even resulted in general support for American foreign policies.

The Economist

Alberta's provincial government won general support for its ideas, and the reforms are now uncontentious.

The Economist

To maintain general support for the project, firefighting is indispensable, but not sufficient.

The New York Times

And amid the general support for Abenomics, the country faces extraordinary economic headwinds.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "general support for", clarify the specific aspects being supported to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of just saying "general support for the project", specify "general support for the project's environmental initiatives".

Common error

Avoid using "general support for" when only a small group or a minority expresses approval. Ensure there's a reasonably widespread consensus before using the phrase. Using it inaccurately can mislead the audience about the true level of acceptance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "general support for" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the existence of broad approval or agreement towards a specific entity, idea, or action. Ludwig confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "general support for" effectively communicates widespread approval or agreement. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability across various writing contexts. As evidenced by the numerous examples provided, this phrase is most frequently used in news and media, scientific publications, and academic writing. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the level of support is accurately represented and to clarify the specifics of what is being supported to avoid ambiguity. While grammatically sound, be mindful of overstating the level of approval and consider alternative phrases like "overall backing for" or "widespread agreement with" to nuance your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overall backing for

Indicates complete support, covering all aspects of something.

broad endorsement of

Emphasizes a formal and public expression of approval, indicating a strong backing.

wide-ranging endorsement of

Suggests that support comes from various sectors or areas.

widespread approval of

Highlights the extensive nature of the approval, suggesting near-universal acceptance.

popular approval of

Emphasizes that the approval comes from the general public.

unqualified approval of

Indicates complete and unrestricted acceptance, lacking any reservations.

general agreement with

Focuses on the consensus aspect, suggesting that most people are in accord.

sweeping acceptance of

Indicates that acceptance is comprehensive and extensive, leaving little room for dissent.

common acceptance of

Highlights the prevalence of acceptance within a specific group or society.

substantial advocacy for

Stresses the active promotion and defense of something, rather than passive support.

FAQs

How can I use "general support for" in a sentence?

You can use "general support for" to indicate widespread approval or agreement with a particular idea, plan, or person. For example, "There is "widespread approval of" the new policy among employees".

What are some alternatives to "general support for"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "overall backing for", "broad endorsement of", or "widespread agreement with" to express similar ideas.

Is it appropriate to use "general support for" in formal writing?

Yes, "general support for" is appropriate for formal writing as it is a neutral and clear way to convey the idea of widespread approval. Its formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than the phrase itself.

What does "general support for" imply about the level of agreement?

The phrase "general support for" implies that there is a significant level of agreement or approval, but not necessarily unanimous agreement. There may still be some dissent or disagreement, but the overall sentiment is positive. The phrase suggests more than just "some support", but less than "unanimous support for".