in support of

USAGE SUMMARY

"in support of" is a valid and usable prepositional phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is done to help or express approval for a cause, a program, a person, an idea, or a plan. For example, "She was an active volunteer in support of the literacy program."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mann In support of the female characters.

The New York Times

In support of the Surgical ICU Unit.

The New York Times

Rally in support of #EdwardSnowden.

The Guardian

In support of this proposal.

Nature

urged in support of it.

Yale University

Dimick wrote in support of the study.

The Guardian

Firstly, in support of big infrastructure projects.

The Guardian

"He was totally in support of it".

The New York Times

Forservices in support of Military Operations.

The Guardian

"Normally, I'm in support of the Bulls".

The New York Times - Sports

For services in support of Military Operations.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in support of", ensure that the object of the preposition is clearly defined. This will avoid ambiguity and make your writing more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "support" directly as a verb when a more descriptive action is needed. For instance, instead of saying "I support of the plan", say "I endorse the plan" or "I advocate for the plan" to add clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in support of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. Ludwig examples show it connecting a subject to the object they are backing or advocating for. It modifies verbs or nouns, providing context about the reason or motivation behind an action or stance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in support of" is a prepositional phrase used to express approval, endorsement, or advocacy. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, academia, and business. It is essential to use the phrase accurately to convey the intended meaning and to ensure clarity in writing. Alternatives such as "in favor of" or backing can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in favor of

Suggests a positive disposition or preference for something.

backing

This single word replacement conveys direct assistance or approval, simplifying the original phrase.

endorsing

Implies formal approval or public recommendation of something.

advocating for

Suggests active public support and promotion of a cause or idea.

promoting

Focuses on the active effort to encourage or popularize something.

championing

Emphasizes enthusiastic and dedicated support for a cause.

favoring

Expresses a preference or inclination towards something.

on behalf of

Indicates acting as a representative or advocate for someone or something.

siding with

Indicates aligning oneself with a particular person or group.

upholding

Conveys maintaining or defending a principle or decision.

FAQs

How can I use "in support of" in a sentence?

You can use "in support of" to indicate backing or approval for a cause, person, or idea. For example, "The community rallied in support of the new school project."

What is a synonym for "in support of"?

A synonym for "in support of" is "in favor of", which also indicates approval or preference.

Is it better to say "in support of" or "to support"?

The choice depends on the sentence structure. "In support of" is a prepositional phrase, while "to support" is an infinitive verb. For example, "They marched in support of the cause" versus "They marched to support the cause".

What's the difference between "in support of" and "supporting"?

"In support of" is a prepositional phrase used to describe the reason for an action, while "supporting" is a verb form indicating the action itself. For instance, "She spoke in support of the bill" versus "She is supporting the bill".