obtain support for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obtain support for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you need help from someone or something to accomplish a task or reach a goal. For example, "We have to obtain support from the city council in order to launch our new project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

The government had hoped to obtain support for its plan before the European Union meeting on Thursday to approve a beefed-up euro-zone rescue fund.

The New York Times

The government thought it had the upper hand when it managed to obtain support for a modified law by reformist unions, and hoped that the protests would slowly die down.

The Guardian - Opinion

The need to obtain support for decision-making and integrate communities in the rebuild process, created the chance for new geospatial tools to be trialed in Christchurch.

Sustainable Cities and Society

Mr. Grant is correct that the president has not appealed enough to the American people to obtain support for his policies, but I am not even sure what his policies are.

The New York Times

To obtain support for these resolutions, the United States also offered to negotiate a solution to the nuclear crisis, one that would result in Iran being "treated like any other state party under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty" when fully implemented.

Columbia University

This is the third year in which the United States has sought the exemption, and though there were three abstentions last year and several more expected this year, American diplomats in May said they felt confident they could obtain support for a "technical rollover" of the measure.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Facing difficulties obtaining support for future projects, Oliveira for a time focused on managing a family farm and vineyard.

Encyclopedia Britannica

French troops invaded the Spanish Netherlands in May 1667, and in the ensuing months Lionne obtained support for France from the electors of Brandenburg and Bavaria.

Britannica

Aides to Mr. Roberts said he had obtained support for the plan from all of the Republicans on the intelligence committee except Senator John Warner of Virginia, who is also chairman of the Armed Services Committee.

The New York Times

When it failed to pass, Paul turned her attention to an international forum, concentrating with considerable success during the 1920s and '30s on obtaining support for her crusade from the League of Nations.

Britannica

INEVITABILITY: When an industry is changing rapidly, it opens the door to obtaining support for an innovative idea that, in a more stable business environment, management might not consider.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "obtain support for" a proposal, clearly articulate its benefits to the target audience to increase the likelihood of gaining their backing.

Common error

While both prepositions can follow "support", "support for" generally relates to backing an idea or cause, while "support of" often implies providing resources or assistance to a person or entity. Choose the preposition that accurately reflects your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obtain support for" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of acquiring or securing backing, approval, or resources for a particular cause, idea, or project. Ludwig AI confirms this usage as grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

13%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obtain support for" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that conveys the action of acquiring backing or resources. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase's validity, and its usage spans across various contexts, including science, news, encyclopedias, and formal business settings. When writing, it is crucial to articulate the benefits of the proposal for which you seek support to increase your chances of success. Remember to consider alternative phrases like ""gain backing for"" or "secure funding for" to add variety to your writing. Finally, be mindful of the slight distinction between "support for" and "support of" to ensure accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain backing for

This alternative focuses on gaining approval or endorsement.

get endorsement for

This emphasizes receiving formal approval or agreement.

garner approval for

This alternative highlights the effort of gathering agreement.

win favor for

This suggests a more persuasive or strategic approach to gaining support.

attract advocacy for

This implies drawing people to actively promote a cause or idea.

procure assistance for

This focuses on the act of acquiring help or aid.

solicit cooperation for

This alternative highlights requesting collaborative effort.

seek agreement on

This phrase underscores the pursuit of consensus.

muster resources for

This focuses on gathering necessary assets to back something.

drum up enthusiasm for

This suggests creating excitement and positive sentiment to gain backing.

FAQs

How can I use "obtain support for" in a sentence?

You can use "obtain support for" when you need assistance from someone or something to accomplish a task or reach a goal. For example, "We need to "gain backing for" our initiative from the local community".

What can I say instead of "obtain support for"?

You can use alternatives like "secure funding for", "garner approval for", or ""gain backing for"" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "obtain support for" or "get support for"?

"Obtain support for" is more formal, while "get support for" is more informal. The best choice depends on the audience and context. In a formal setting, "obtain support for" may be preferred.

What's the difference between "seek support for" and "obtain support for"?

"Seek support for" implies an active search for assistance, while "obtain support for" suggests that the assistance has already been acquired. The former focuses on the process, while the latter focuses on the result.