not very supportive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not very supportive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or person that lacks encouragement or assistance. Example: "Her comments during the meeting were not very supportive of the new project proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

That's not very supportive".

The Guardian - Film

"The Whitman administration was not very supportive of it," Mr. Black said.

The New York Times

'They were wary and some were not very supportive,' says Shi Yan.

The Guardian

Earlier, Hockey repudiated Forrest's idea, saying "we're not very supportive of cartels at all".

The Guardian

The evidence from the polling before the debate was not very supportive of this idea.

The New York Times

That's not very supportive, but I don't know if there is an A.F.C. team this year".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Democrats weren't very supportive either.

The New York Times

He wasn't very supportive for a long time.

Los Angeles Times

Bruce wasn't very supportive either, saying it was divine retribution for Kris reaching out to contact Todd, her ex.

Huffington Post

You may find out that most of these new people in your new life aren't very supportive of the marriage.

Huffington Post

[C2.] TV Sours Trump-Branson RelaThens When "The Rebel Billionaire," a reality show starring Sir Richard Branson, left, failed to match "The Apprentice" in the ratings, Donald J. Trump sent him a not-very-supportive letter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's attitude or actions, consider the specific aspect you want to highlight. For instance, instead of saying "The boss was "not very supportive"", you could specify "The boss offered little encouragement" if you want to focus on the lack of motivation.

Common error

Avoid using "not very supportive" as a catch-all phrase. Instead, be specific about what kind of support was lacking (e.g., financial, emotional, practical) to provide a clearer picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very supportive" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, describing the degree to which something or someone provides support. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English and accurately conveys the intended meaning.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not very supportive" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a mild lack of support or encouragement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, primarily in News & Media. While it’s a versatile phrase, being specific about the type of support lacking can enhance clarity. Consider alternatives like "somewhat unsupportive" or "lacking in support" to add nuance to your writing. Being mindful of the specific context and avoiding overuse of vague language will help you communicate your message more effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat unsupportive

Indicates a slightly weaker level of lack of support.

lacking in support

Focuses on the absence of support rather than the degree.

not particularly encouraging

Shifts the focus to the lack of encouragement specifically.

less than helpful

Emphasizes the lack of assistance or utility.

not especially helpful

Emphasizes the absence of specific assistance.

rather unhelpful

Highlights the degree of unhelpfulness.

offering little encouragement

Focuses on the action of providing encouragement, which is minimal.

scant support

Uses a more formal tone to indicate limited support.

mildly discouraging

Highlights a small degree of discouragement.

not exactly a champion

Figurative way of saying someone isn't backing you up or supporting you.

FAQs

How can I use "not very supportive" in a sentence?

You can use "not very supportive" to describe someone or something that is lacking in encouragement or assistance. For example, "His comments were "not very supportive" of my idea."

What can I say instead of "not very supportive"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat unsupportive", "lacking in support", or "not particularly encouraging" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "not very supportive"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. It follows standard English grammar rules for forming adjective phrases.

What's the difference between "not very supportive" and "unsupportive"?

"Not very supportive" implies a milder lack of support than "unsupportive", which suggests a stronger, more definitive lack of support or even active opposition.