small support for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small support for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a limited amount of assistance or backing for a particular idea, project, or initiative. Example: "The committee expressed small support for the proposed changes to the policy, indicating that more discussion was needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Although the latest poll shows relatively small support for an active defense of Ukraine, that doesn't mean most Americans want to back out of the conflict entirely.

Huffington Post

On the other hand, this observation could be interpreted as small support for the existence of a putative far-red-light signaling pathways in the volvocine algae including Volvox.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Of course, it had never entirely disappeared, and occasional polls found small-scale support for it.

Huffington Post

Congress, however, has failed to generate even the smallest support for such an increase, no matter which party is in power.

Huffington Post

We choose the Puri (PUR) area which had the smallest support for population expansion.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Hope was founded by Pauline Carruthers, who set up what was originally a small support group for herself and other survivors.

Vice

In either cases we find isotropic DODs with fairly small support, in particular for the cubic and the transversal symmetry groups.

Linear Algebra and its Applications

Still, a small support group -- Fair Go for David -- has been formed, and there is a feeling in some quarters that the government has essentially abandoned him.

The New York Times

Deborah Harrold, chief executive of Agewell Sandwell, also had to deal with the fears of lifelong public sector staff – despite spinning out a much smaller support service for older people from a larger health service.

The Guardian

The smallest support values for { P. chiapensis, P. strobus} occur in strategies that use SMRT with ML, MP, and NJ, producing support values of 382, 406, and 395, respectively.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Osborne also announced plans to increase flood-defence spending, changes to stamp duty for small businesses, support for entrepreneurs, funds for a new air ambulance service in Northern Ireland, and lower tolls on the Severn crossing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "small support for", consider quantifying the degree of support to provide more context. For example, specify the percentage of people or groups that offer such support.

Common error

Be careful not to equate "small support for" with a complete lack of support. "Small support" indicates some backing, however limited. If there's no support at all, use phrases like "no support for" or "complete opposition to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small support for" functions as a noun phrase that describes the extent of backing or approval something receives. As seen in the Ludwig AI examples, it indicates a limited or reduced degree of endorsement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "small support for" effectively communicates a limited degree of backing or approval, as corroborated by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically sound and appropriate for a neutral to formal register, frequently appearing in News & Media and Science contexts. When using the phrase, consider providing further detail to contextualize the amount of support. Related alternatives include phrases like "limited backing for" or "minimal encouragement for", which can enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited backing for

Emphasizes restriction in the amount of support.

minimal encouragement for

Focuses on the low level of positive reinforcement provided.

slight assistance for

Highlights the limited help or aid provided.

scant advocacy for

Highlights the rare or insufficient promotion of a cause.

modest approval of

Implies a restrained and limited acceptance.

weak endorsement of

Indicates a lack of strong approval or recommendation.

little enthusiasm for

Stresses the absence of strong positive feeling or interest.

marginal help for

Denotes that the assistance barely makes a difference.

token approval for

Suggests that the support is symbolic or insincere.

inadequate provision for

Emphasizes that the support is not enough to meet needs.

FAQs

How can I use "small support for" in a sentence?

You can use "small support for" to indicate a limited amount of backing for a particular idea or initiative. For example: "The proposal received "little support" from the community members".

What's a good alternative to "small support for"?

Alternatives include "limited backing for", "minimal encouragement for", or "weak endorsement of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "small support for" the same as "no support for"?

No, "small support for" indicates some level of backing, while "no support for" means there is a complete absence of backing. The phrase "no support for" implies total opposition or lack of assistance.

When is it appropriate to use "small support for" instead of "limited support for"?

Both are quite similar, but "small support for" might be preferred when emphasizing the degree of support is particularly negligible, while "limited support for" is a bit more neutral and can encompass a broader range of 'not substantial' support levels.