he was for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate someone's support or endorsement of a person, idea, or action. Example: "In the debate, he was for the proposal to increase funding for education."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He was for real.

The New York Times - Arts

"He was for the stimulus.

The New York Times

Maybe he was for real.

The New Yorker

"He was for social democracy.

The New Yorker

So he was for hard, hard power.

The New Yorker

At least he was for a while.

The New York Times - Sports

"He was for the pardon," she said.

The New York Times

"He was for sale.

The Guardian - Sport

He was for limited government.

The New York Times

"He was for Long Island".

The New York Times

First, he was for Nixon.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was for" to clearly and directly state someone's support or advocacy for a specific cause, idea, or person. This phrase works well in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "he was for" when a more nuanced expression of support is needed. Consider alternatives like "he sympathized with" or "he leaned towards" if the support isn't absolute.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "he was for" is to express support or advocacy. This phrase acts as a prepositional complement, indicating the object or idea that someone favors, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he was for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate someone's support or advocacy. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread acceptance, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it’s important to consider context, opting for alternatives like "he supported" or "he advocated for" when a more nuanced expression is needed. To ensure correct usage, be direct and clear about the cause, idea, or person being supported. In summary, "he was for" is a reliable and effective way to express endorsement across various communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he advocated for

Replaces the preposition "for" with the verb "advocated", emphasizing active support.

he supported

Uses a direct verb to indicate agreement and backing.

he was in favor of

Employs a more formal expression to convey endorsement.

he championed

Highlights active and enthusiastic support.

he endorsed

Indicates formal approval or backing.

he backed

Suggests providing support or resources.

he promoted

Implies actively encouraging or pushing for something.

he upheld

Signifies maintaining or defending a principle or decision.

he stood for

Indicates representing or symbolizing certain values.

he was a proponent of

Uses a noun phrase to denote active advocacy.

FAQs

How can I use "he was for" in a sentence?

You can use "he was for" to indicate someone's support or advocacy for something. For example, "He was for the new environmental policy" or "He was for his friend's promotion".

What are some alternatives to "he was for"?

Alternatives to "he was for" include phrases like "he supported", "he advocated for", or "he was in favor of", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "he was for"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "he was for" to indicate support or advocacy. It's a common and accepted phrase in English.

What's the difference between "he was for" and "he stood for"?

"He was for" typically refers to supporting a specific idea or action, while "he stood for" usually means representing a set of values or principles. For example, "He was for the tax cut", versus "He stood for equality and justice".