patronage

USAGE SUMMARY

"patronage" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to support or encouragement given by a person or organization. For example: "The art museum received generous patronage from the local government."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She read about brickmaking and the Este family's patronage of the arts, and she read Leon Battista Alberti and Cennino Cennini's treatises on painting.

The Guardian - Books

The prime minister has a greater scope for patronage among Conservative MPs now that he no longer has to make space in his cabinet for Lib Dem MPs, as well as a dozen or more in the lower ministerial ranks.

The Guardian

The message: the separatists exist only because of the Russian leader's patronage.

The Guardian

A century later, this remains unfinished business, and so a legislature based on feudal patronage goes on.

The Guardian - Opinion

In LRA's case, its main support came from the Sudanese government in Khartoum and many suspect it still maintains the patronage of Omar el-Bashir, the country's president, himself indicted for war crimes by the ICC.

The Guardian

This is the first time that I can recall a senior Muslim politician, even one who is an unelected patronage appointee, throwing some community weight around – a scenario more familiar, I think, in France, where Muslim voters have more salience as a bloc, more muscle.

The Guardian

Mecca proved to be the right place for a meeting under Saudi patronage and warring Iraqi Sunni and Shia leaders and religious scholars pledged to end Muslim bloodshed.

The Guardian

Even with the changing publishing environment, some things stay the same: the importance of the physical, single-author monograph, and the importance of academic patronage.

The Guardian

'If the House of Lords is ultimately within the patronage of the prime minister it is most likely to reflect the views of the prime minister of the day.

The Guardian

There was a perception that Jonathan gave slices of the cake largely to members of his own community Under Jonathan's presidency many militant leaders from the oil producing Niger Delta area in the south have become very rich from government patronage and contracts.

The Guardian

After that war, the polarisation between the so-called moderates under the leadership of Saudi Arabia, and the radicals under Iran's patronage, became acute.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "patronage", be mindful of the context. It can refer to positive support or negative cronyism, so choose your words carefully to avoid misinterpretation.

Common error

While "patronage" can mean support, it can also imply condescending behavior. Ensure your writing clearly indicates the intended meaning by providing ample context.

Linguistic Context

The noun "patronage" primarily functions as a descriptor of support, approval, or custom, often in a formal or organizational context. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that "patronage" is correct and usable, denoting support from an entity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "patronage" is a versatile term with both positive and negative connotations. According to Ludwig, it is a correct and usable word in written English that refers to support or encouragement given by a person or organization. Its use ranges from describing financial backing of the arts to denoting political cronyism. Understanding the context is crucial to ensure the intended meaning is conveyed accurately. Common synonyms include "sponsorship" and "backing", though each carries subtle differences. While generally neutral, "patronage" appears most frequently in news and formal business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sponsorship

Focuses more on financial or material support for an event, activity, or organization.

backing

Emphasizes support or approval, often in a more general sense.

clientele

Refers specifically to the customers or clients of a business or service.

support

A broad term that encompasses various forms of assistance, encouragement, and approval.

advocacy

Highlights active promotion and defense of a cause, idea, or person.

promotion

Emphasizes the act of furthering the growth or popularity of something.

endorsement

Specifically refers to public approval or support, often for commercial purposes.

custom

Focuses on the act of regularly purchasing goods or services from a particular business.

favoritism

Implies preferential treatment based on personal connections rather than merit.

political appointments

Refers to the practice of filling government positions based on loyalty and support.

FAQs

How can I use "patronage" in a sentence?

You can use "patronage" to describe the support given to an organization or individual, such as "The arts organization relies on the generous "patronage" of its donors".

What's the difference between "patronage" and "sponsorship"?

"Patronage" often suggests ongoing support or custom, while "sponsorship" typically refers to a specific event or activity. "Sponsorship" often involves financial contributions.

What are some synonyms for "patronage" in a business context?

In a business context, synonyms for "patronage" include "clientele", "business", and "trade", all referring to the customers who support the business.

Is "patronage" always a positive thing?

No, "patronage" can have negative connotations, particularly in political contexts, where it can refer to the abuse of power through "favoritism" and the granting of favors in exchange for political support.