side with

USAGE SUMMARY

"side with" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrasal verb which means to take one person's or group's opinion or point of view in a disagreement. Example: I side with my brother in the debate over whether pineapple belongs on pizza.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I didn't side with either".

The New York Times - Arts

"We know they will side with us".

The New Yorker

Internally, he may side with Eikenberry.

Independent

Fitch appeared to side with the president.

The New York Times

Time to side with the sheriff.

The Economist

I side with the makeup artists.

The New York Times

These courts rarely side with employers.

The Economist

"Take my side with them," he pleaded.

The New Yorker

We side with the safety experts.

The New York Times

Or they'll side with the Pigeon.

The New York Times - Books

I side with Gill.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "side with", clearly state who or what you are supporting to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "I side with them", specify "I side with the plaintiffs in this case".

Common error

Avoid using "side with" when you simply agree with someone on a single point. "Side with" suggests a broader alignment of values or a commitment to a particular cause or person. Use alternatives like "agree with" for isolated points.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "side with" is a phrasal verb. It indicates the act of choosing to support or agree with a particular person or group in a dispute or disagreement, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "side with" is a frequently used phrasal verb that expresses support for one party in a dispute. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and appears most often in News & Media. When using "side with", make sure to clarify who or what you are supporting and avoid using it for simple agreements. Related phrases include "take someone's side", "align oneself with", and "stand by someone".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take someone's side

Focuses on choosing to support a person specifically.

align oneself with

Emphasizes a deliberate act of agreement and support.

take the part of

Highlights acting in defense or support of someone or something.

stand by someone

Implies loyalty and support during a difficult time.

be in agreement with

Stresses the shared opinion or belief.

throw in with

Suggests joining a group or cause.

lend support to

Focuses on providing assistance or backing.

express solidarity with

Highlights showing unity or agreement with a group or cause.

back up

Suggests providing assistance or validation.

champion the cause of

Emphasizes actively promoting and defending a particular cause.

FAQs

What does "side with" mean?

The phrasal verb "side with" means to choose to support one person or group in a disagreement or dispute.

How can I use "side with" in a sentence?

You can use "side with" to indicate your support for a particular party in a conflict. For example, "I "side with" the union in the labor dispute".

What are some alternatives to "side with"?

Alternatives to "side with" include "take someone's side", "align oneself with", or "stand by someone".

Is it better to "side with" or "support" someone?

While both terms indicate agreement, "side with" implies a conflict where you are choosing a specific party, whereas "support" is a broader term that doesn't necessarily require a dispute.