minor support

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minor support" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or limited level of assistance or backing in various contexts, such as projects, arguments, or initiatives. Example: "The proposal received minor support from the committee, which was not enough to move forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The problem is that this evidence, like moving troops or providing minor support to rebels, escalates the conflict to higher stakes and risk.

The New York Times

And the US National Socio-Environmental Sesyncsis Center (Sesync) where the lead author carried out his research for the project issued an official clarification about the study yesterday as follows, confirming the same: "Motesharrei received minor support from NASA to develop a coupled earth system model.

The Guardian

The other schemes only received minor support.

SERIEs

The other rules received only minor support.

SERIEs

Apple knows about Project Spartan, and is believed to even be lending some minor support to the project.

TechCrunch

I then tracked down every update that was released for each device – be it a major OS upgrade or a minor support patch – as well as prices and release & discontinuation dates.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

His college activism may have been that of a minor supporting player, but it was legitimate.

The New Yorker

These unflattering descriptions, plus his tongue-twisting surname, would suggest an actor with a career limited to minor supporting roles.

The Guardian

From his first, minor supporting roles in the early 1990s, he proved the old saw that there are no small parts, only small actors – and he was small in neither sense of the word.

The Guardian - Film

"In the prefeminist early 60's, women had very minor supporting roles in these shows because the conventional wisdom among TV programmers was that a starring woman would create ratings problems and raise too many societal issues," said David Bushman, a curator at the Museum of Television and Radio in New York.

The New York Times - Arts

He returned for Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, seeing his minor supporting role develop into a major character.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing contributions or assistance, use "minor support" to clearly indicate a limited degree of backing or resources provided, avoiding ambiguity about the scale of involvement. This can be useful when reporting on project funding, political endorsements, or research collaborations where the level of support varies.

Common error

Avoid using "minor support" when the backing is actually substantial, as this can mislead the audience. Ensure that the term accurately reflects the level of assistance, and don't downplay significant contributions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minor support" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "minor" modifies the noun "support". It describes the extent or degree of assistance provided. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in diverse contexts, indicating a widespread understanding of its function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "minor support" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe assistance or backing that is limited in scope or significance. As verified by Ludwig, this phrase appears across diverse domains, including science, news, and business. When using "minor support", ensure that it accurately reflects the extent of the assistance provided, as overstating or understating its significance can mislead the audience. Alternatives such as "limited support", "slight assistance", and "minimal aid" can offer more nuanced descriptions depending on the context. Therefore, leveraging "minor support" effectively requires careful consideration of the actual level of backing and the desired communicative intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited support

Implies a restriction on the amount or extent of support given, similar to "minor support".

slight assistance

Focuses on the helping aspect, indicating that the help provided is not substantial.

modest assistance

Indicates a level of support that is limited in scope and effect.

minimal aid

Emphasizes the scarcity of the help provided, highlighting its insufficiency.

partial support

Highlights that the support is not complete or comprehensive.

small contribution

Highlights the contribution aspect, suggesting that the contribution is insignificant.

light reinforcement

Implies that the backing or aid is not heavily impactful but helps to provide a small push or encouragement.

token backing

Suggests a symbolic or insincere form of support, often given reluctantly or without real commitment.

surface-level support

Suggests the support doesn't go very deep, lacks substance, and involves limited commitment.

nominal assistance

Assistance given is so small that it exists more in name than in practical application.

FAQs

What does "minor support" mean in the context of research funding?

In research, "minor support" often signifies that the funding received covers only a small portion of the project's total expenses, potentially limiting the scope or duration of the study.

What are some alternatives to using "minor support"?

You can use alternatives like "limited support", "slight assistance", or "minimal aid" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "minor support" differ from "major support"?

"Minor support" indicates a small contribution, while "major support" suggests a substantial and significant contribution that is crucial for the success or continuation of a project or initiative.

Is it appropriate to use "minor support" in formal writing?

Yes, "minor support" is suitable for formal writing when accurately describing the level of assistance. However, ensure the term is precise and avoids ambiguity. In some cases, a more specific term might be preferable for clarity.