reinforce their position

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reinforce their position" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to strengthening or solidifying one's stance or perspective on a particular issue or topic. Example: The CEO's presentation to the board of directors helped to reinforce their position as the leading company in the industry.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The marines are expected to reinforce their position and start repairing the runways, which were heavily damaged by American bombing and fighting on the ground, officers here said.

The New York Times

But, for now, their primary aim should be to expound on their own platforms, appear to be plausible occupants of the Oval Office, and reinforce their position as the leading orthodox candidates.

The New Yorker

However, they were not hiding from the fact that it was their own incompetence that squandered a 24-8 lead to reinforce their position as the laughing stock of this World Cup - with only one chance remaining to change that perception.

The Guardian - Sport

In another medieval foray, the fate of monks in a remote monastery illustrates the violence of the past, and how those in power – at the time, the forces of the Inquisition – did not hesitate to use it to reinforce their position.

The Guardian - Books

Alias Yousaf, of Chambers Solicitors, which is representing the protesters, said the group wanted to reinforce their position.

BBC

Labour do not mind this; they appear to relish a battle that can help reinforce their position in the eyes of voters.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

One soldier said they were going to reinforce their positions on the main frontline.

The Guardian

The experts are inclined, instead, to reinforce their positions by declaring that they were right on the fundamentals and merely off on the timing.

The New York Times

Assad meanwhile said his government was ready to take part in a truce as long as it is not used by militants to reinforce their positions.

Independent

Katherine Betts, editor in chief of Harper's Bazaar, on the other hand, attributes this reversal of fashion to the fact that strong women are now looking for clothes that reinforce their positions of power.

The New York Times - Style

It said government forces would respond if "terrorist groups" — its blanket description for all the armed opposition — carried out any kind of attack, tried to reinforce their positions or resupply their ammunition or if more foreign fighters infiltrated the country.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reinforce their position", ensure the context clearly identifies whose position is being reinforced. Vague references can confuse the reader. For example, "The study reinforced the scientists' position on climate change."

Common error

Avoid using "reinforce their position" when the intent is to establish a position for the first time. "Reinforce" implies a pre-existing stance that needs strengthening, not initial creation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "reinforce their position" is as a verb phrase, where 'reinforce' acts as the verb and 'their position' serves as the object. The phrase indicates an action aimed at strengthening an existing stance, as evidenced by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reinforce their position" is a commonly used phrase that means to strengthen or validate an existing stance. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in diverse contexts, including news, media, and scientific literature. The phrase typically functions as a verb phrase to assert a viewpoint or action. While alternatives such as "strengthen their position" or "consolidate their position" exist, it's important to ensure the context warrants their use. A key best practice is to ensure clarity regarding whose position is being reinforced, and avoid using it when an initial position is being established. Ludwig provides many examples to understand its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strengthen their position

Focuses on enhancing the inherent power or stability of a state.

consolidate their position

Focuses on solidifying a status, suggesting making it more stable and secure.

fortify their position

Emphasizes strengthening a stance against potential opposition or challenges.

bolster their position

Indicates support or reinforcement for a situation that may be wavering.

improve their position

Indicates making advancements and progress in a certain state or situation.

enhance their position

Implies augmenting or elevating a condition to a more desirable level.

boost their position

Suggests giving impetus to a state to make it more prominent or effective.

affirm their standing

Implies declaring or confirming the validity of their status.

secure their advantage

Highlights efforts to protect and maintain a beneficial situation.

uphold their perspective

Indicates supporting and defending a particular viewpoint or opinion.

FAQs

How can I use "reinforce their position" in a sentence?

The phrase "reinforce their position" is used to describe actions taken to strengthen or validate a pre-existing stance. For example: "The additional data helped the researchers "reinforce their position" on the effectiveness of the new treatment."

What are some alternatives to saying "reinforce their position"?

You can use alternatives like "strengthen their position", "consolidate their position", or "bolster their position" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "reinforce their position" or "reinforce they're position"?

"Reinforce their position" is correct. "Their" is the possessive pronoun, indicating that the position belongs to them. "They're" is a contraction of "they are" and is grammatically incorrect in this context.

What's the difference between "reinforce their position" and "support their position"?

"Reinforce their position" implies strengthening an existing stance, whereas "support their position" simply means providing backing or approval, without necessarily making the position stronger. The first one implies more active approach that contributes in making the position stronger.