lend his support

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lend his support" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone offering assistance or backing to a cause, person, or project. Example: "The community leaders decided to lend their support to the local charity event to raise funds for the homeless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The reference to "a mixture of taxes" was no idle speculation as even Ken Baker, then environment secretary and Thatcher's most ardent poll tax supporter, was having sufficient doubts to lend his support to a compromise solution.

The Guardian

Mr. Zuckerberg stopped by to lend his support.

The New York Times

Perhaps he should lend his support to Trump's presidential campaign?

The Guardian

Mr. Putin has moved swiftly since the terror attacks to lend his support to the West.

The New York Times

I wonder if the governor would lend his support to that law.

The New York Times

Carnahan asked Cruise if he could lend his support, and Cruise agreed.

The New York Times - Magazine

It added: "Mr Baldwin can't lend his support for equality on paper, while degrading gay people in practice".

Independent

He crossed the aisle to lend his support to the Catholic Mr Turner over the Jewish Mr Weprin.

The Economist

Meanwhile on Tuesday, Des O'Connor also refused to lend his support to Clifford, a close friend going back decades.

The Guardian

"He was there to lend his support and credibility and allow the gang members to meet him," Brown said.

The New York Times - Sports

President Barack Obama phoned Mario Monti, the Italian prime minister, to lend his support to "decisive action to resolve the crisis".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the nuance you want to convey. "Lend his support" can imply a temporary or specific act of backing, rather than a long-term commitment.

Common error

Avoid using "lend his support" when the intended meaning is a complete and permanent dedication. The word "lend" implies a temporary action, so use alternatives like "dedicate" or "commit" for more lasting endorsements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lend his support" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of offering assistance or endorsement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely used, signaling the act of providing backing to a person, cause, or idea.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lend his support" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate offering assistance or endorsement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. It functions to convey approval and active backing, fitting various contexts from news and media to business and encyclopedic content. While it has a neutral register, its specific nuance can imply a temporary action. Consider alternatives like "offer his backing" or "give his assistance" to fine-tune your message. Ensure clarity by specifying what exactly is being supported, and avoid using it when the intended meaning is a long-term commitment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offer his backing

This alternative replaces "lend" with "offer" and "support" with "backing", suggesting a more formal endorsement.

give his assistance

This option substitutes "support" with "assistance", emphasizing the act of providing help.

provide his endorsement

This phrase uses "endorsement" instead of "support", highlighting a formal expression of approval.

extend his advocacy

This alternative employs "advocacy", which conveys a more active and vocal form of support.

throw his weight behind

This idiom suggests a forceful and influential form of support.

express his solidarity

This option emphasizes unity and shared feelings with the cause or person being supported.

pledge his allegiance

This phrase signifies a strong commitment and loyalty.

voice his approval

This option emphasizes the act of publicly expressing agreement and support.

stand by him

A more concise option, showing unwavering support and loyalty.

back him up

This phrase, often used informally, implies providing assistance and defense.

FAQs

How can I use "lend his support" in a sentence?

You can use "lend his support" to indicate someone is offering help or backing to a cause, person, or project. For example: "The community leaders decided to "lend their support" to the local charity event to raise funds for the homeless."

What are some alternatives to "lend his support"?

Alternatives include "offer his backing", "give his assistance", or "provide his endorsement", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "lend his support" formal or informal?

"Lend his support" is generally considered neutral and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. However, alternatives like "offer his backing" might be more suitable for formal writing.

What does it mean to "throw his weight behind" something compared to "lend his support"?

"Throw his weight behind" implies a more forceful and influential backing than simply "lend his support". The former suggests using one's influence to actively promote something.