only support

USAGE SUMMARY

"only support" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when something or someone is providing help or assistance without any other involvement, activity, or commitment. For example, "We only support his decision to stay in the town and are not offering any financial assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Officially, we only support legal activities".

The New York Times

The only support they have is from America.

The New York Times

Broad is not the only support he needs.

The Guardian - Sport

Now if the community could only support an N.B.A. team.

The New York Times - Sports

We can only support others when we ourselves feel supported.

The Guardian

Online battle lobbies only support two players at launch.

The Guardian - Tech

The West Indians only support you when you're a superstar".

The New York Times

"Books can only support a certain retail price," she said.

The New York Times - Books

Airports can only support so many new flights a day.

The New York Times - Science

So we would only support action that was legal, we would only support action that was proportionate.

The Guardian

For many, this is the only support they receive.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "only support", clearly define the scope and limitations of your support to avoid misunderstandings. For example, specify what actions or aspects you are supporting and what you are not.

Common error

Avoid using "only support" when your backing is more comprehensive or unconditional. Using it incorrectly can create a perception of limited commitment, which may not be accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only support" functions as a verb phrase indicating a limited form of endorsement, assistance, or approval. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in contexts where explicit boundaries are set around what is being supported.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "only support" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to express limited or conditional endorsement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. When using "only support", clarity is key; clearly define the scope of your support to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases like "exclusively endorse" or "conditionally approve" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context. Remember that while "only support" is versatile, it's crucial to ensure that it accurately reflects the nature and extent of your backing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exclusively endorse

Emphasizes sole endorsement, implying no other form of approval or backing.

conditionally approve

Highlights that support is contingent upon meeting specific requirements or conditions.

specifically back

Focuses on a particular type of support or a defined aspect being endorsed.

solely advocate

Implies that advocacy is the only form of support provided.

exclusively assist

Highlights providing help to the exclusion of all others.

particularly favor

Indicates a preference for certain aspects or elements within a broader context.

merely tolerate

Suggests a reluctant acceptance or a minimal level of support.

partially uphold

Implies that only a portion of something is being supported, not the entirety.

uniquely promote

Highlights promoting something different from everything else.

singularly defend

Suggests the defense of something unlike any other.

FAQs

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

You can use "only support" to indicate limited endorsement or assistance. For example, "We "only support" initiatives that align with our core values." This shows that support is conditional and specific.

What can I say instead of "only support"?

You can use alternatives like "exclusively endorse", "conditionally approve", or "specifically back" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "only support" or "support only"?

Both phrases can be grammatically correct, but their meanings differ slightly. "Only support" emphasizes the limited nature of the assistance, while "support only" can emphasize that no other action is taken beyond support. For example, "We "only support" the proposal if changes are made" versus "We support the proposal only if changes are made".

What's the difference between "only support" and "merely tolerate"?

"Only support" implies active, though limited, endorsement or assistance. "Merely tolerate", on the other hand, suggests acceptance without enthusiasm or active backing.