he backs that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he backs that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone supports or endorses a particular idea, statement, or action. Example: "In the meeting, he backs that proposal for increasing the budget, believing it will lead to better results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He backs that up by noting that his son finds baseball dull.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Here are the statistics he backed that up with.

The New York Times

Ahead of Sunday's derby at Newcastle, he backed that up.

Independent

He backed that up with a straight-sets elimination of No. 51 Radek Stepanek, also of the Czech Republic.

The New York Times

He backed that up by winning the next three games and the Series.

The New York Times - Sports

He backed that up with a sterling performance in the World Series, helping the Diamondbacks beat the Yankees.

The New York Times - Sports

Last month, he backed that up with a federal loan guarantee of $8.3 billion to build two new reactors near Waynesboro, Georgia.

The New Yorker

He backed that up by trying to shut down to get the Senate to vote for repeal.

Huffington Post

He said Wednesday that he continued to back that position.

The New York Times

But West understandably doubled and he backed up that decision with the only winning defense.

The New York Times

In 2006, he backed legislation that led to an extraordinarily strict abortion ban.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he backs that", ensure the context clearly establishes what "that" refers to. Ambiguity can weaken your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "he backs that" when the subject's support is conditional or partial. Use more precise language to reflect the nuances of their endorsement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "he backs that" is to express support or agreement with a statement or proposal. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and clearly conveys endorsement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he backs that" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to indicate support or agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not exceedingly common, it appears frequently in News & Media and Sports contexts. For more formal scenarios, alternatives like "he supports that" or "he endorses that" might be more appropriate. Ensure clarity in your writing by clearly defining what "that" refers to, and avoid using the phrase when the support is only partial or conditional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he supports that

This is a direct synonym, conveying the same meaning with a slightly different verb.

he endorses that

Implies a more formal and public declaration of support.

he advocates that

Suggests active promotion and defense of the idea.

he confirms that

Indicates validation or verification of a statement.

he vouches for that

Implies a personal guarantee or assurance.

he stands by that

Suggests unwavering support, even in the face of opposition.

he defends that

Highlights active protection and justification of the idea.

he champions that

Emphasizes enthusiastic and dedicated support.

he underwrites that

Signifies financial or formal backing.

he is in favor of that

A more verbose way of expressing agreement or support.

FAQs

What does "he backs that" mean?

The phrase "he backs that" means that a person supports, endorses, or agrees with a particular statement, idea, or action. It implies that they are in favor of it and may even defend or promote it.

What can I say instead of "he backs that"?

You can use alternatives like "he supports that", "he endorses that", or "he advocates that" depending on the context.

Is "he backs that" grammatically correct?

Yes, "he backs that" is grammatically correct. It uses the third-person singular form of the verb "back" and correctly uses "that" to refer to a previously mentioned idea or statement.

How formal is the phrase "he backs that"?

The phrase "he backs that" is generally neutral in formality. It can be used in both informal and formal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "he endorses that" may be preferred in some situations.