showed support

USAGE SUMMARY

"showed support" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to demonstrate or display one's backing or encouragement for something or someone. Example: The community came together and showed support for the local charity through donations and volunteer work.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Others showed support: Wow.

Independent

It showed support for me.

The Guardian - Sport

Not every politician showed support.

The New York Times

The polls showed support for Modi's rival, 43-year-old Rahul Gandhi, slipping.

The Guardian

With the vote due in just over two weeks, it showed support for independence at 47%.

The Guardian

A 16 November poll by Public Policy Polling [pdf] showed support among voters was waning, too.

The Guardian

One recent survey showed support for Romney at 0% – yes, 0% – among black Americans.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

But in the trial, all key political parties showed support for Charlie-Hebdo.

The Guardian

Austria joined the union in 1995, but recent polls showed support for membership had slipped to about 33percentt.

The New York Times

Four clubs showed support for the six-card suit and slam interest.

The New York Times

Some opinion polls showed support for America in single digits when George Bush was president.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "showed support", ensure the context clearly indicates the recipient and form of support. For instance, "The community showed support for the victims by donating supplies and volunteering time."

Common error

Avoid using "showed support" without specifying who or what received the support. Saying "The company showed support" is less effective than "The company showed support for its employees by offering flexible work arrangements."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "showed support" functions as a verb phrase, typically indicating that someone or something actively demonstrated approval, encouragement, or assistance towards a particular entity or cause. As Ludwig AI affirms, it is a correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "showed support" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of demonstrating backing or approval, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its grammatical status is correct, and it appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as scientific and formal business settings. The phrase is generally neutral in register and serves to convey that an individual or group took action to demonstrate their endorsement. While "showed support" is effective, alternatives like "expressed backing", "demonstrated approval", and "offered assistance" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demonstrated approval

Highlights the act of outwardly displaying agreement or positive sentiment.

stood by

Focuses on loyalty and unwavering support during difficult times.

expressed backing

Emphasizes the verbal communication of support, differing from the broader act of showing it.

affirmed solidarity with

Emphasizes unity and shared purpose in showing support.

indicated endorsement

Focuses on signaling formal agreement or validation.

gave encouragement

Highlights the act of providing motivation and hope.

advocated for

Implies active promotion and defense of a cause or person.

offered assistance

Shifts the focus to providing help or aid, a tangible form of support.

championed the cause

Highlights passionate and vocal support for a specific issue.

lent credence to

Implies adding weight or believability to something, showing support indirectly.

FAQs

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

You can use "showed support" to describe actions indicating approval or encouragement. For example, "The team "showed support" for the new initiative by actively participating in the training sessions."

What's a good alternative to "showed support"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "expressed backing", "demonstrated approval", or "offered assistance" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "showed support to" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, it's more common and natural to say "showed support for". For instance, "The fans showed support for the team" is preferred over "The fans showed support to the team".

What is the difference between "showed support" and "expressed solidarity"?

"Showed support" is a broader term encompassing various forms of backing. "Expressed solidarity", on the other hand, specifically emphasizes unity and shared purpose. Using "expressed solidarity" often implies a stronger emotional connection or alignment with a cause.