stand by him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stand by him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express support or loyalty to someone, especially in difficult times. Example: "Even when things got tough, she promised to stand by him no matter what."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Archives|DEMOCRATS BACK MITCHELL.; Oldfield Says Party Will Stand by Him in Congress.

The New York Times

DEMOCRATS BACK MITCHELL.; Oldfield Says Party Will Stand by Him in Congress.

The New York Times

I will stand by him.

The New York Times

I stand by him, Marion declared.

The New York Times - Sports

Taking vows to stand by him until death.

Independent

At first, Republican leaders seemed to stand by him.

The New Yorker

"I'm going to stand by him," Steinbrenner said.

The New York Times - Sports

The privately owned company continues to stand by him.

The Guardian - Business

We will certainly at the moment stand by him".

The Guardian - Sport

The fund decided to stand by him despite concluding that he had shown poor judgment.

The New York Times

But Mr. Kaira said, "The people will not stand by him".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stand by him" to convey unwavering support and loyalty, especially during challenging times or when the person is facing criticism. This phrase suggests a commitment to remain with someone through difficulties.

Common error

Avoid using "stand by him" when you only mean to offer temporary or conditional support. The phrase implies a long-term commitment and may be misleading if your support is limited.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stand by him" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating an action of supporting and remaining loyal to someone. It demonstrates a commitment to be there for that person, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Academia

6%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stand by him" is a common and grammatically correct way to express unwavering support and loyalty, particularly during challenging times. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, including news reports and personal conversations. Its primary function is to convey solidarity and commitment, and you can use alternative phrases like "support him" or "stick with him" to express similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

support him

A direct synonym, focusing on providing assistance and encouragement.

back him up

Emphasizes providing assistance, often in a situation where someone is being challenged or criticized.

defend him

Focuses on protecting someone from attack or criticism.

stick with him

Highlights unwavering loyalty and commitment, even in difficult times.

be there for him

Emphasizes providing emotional support and presence when needed.

rally around him

Suggests a collective effort to support someone facing adversity.

show solidarity with him

Indicates a formal or public expression of support and unity.

champion him

Suggests actively promoting and advocating for someone's cause or interests.

take his side

Indicates choosing to support someone in a disagreement or conflict.

uphold him

Implies providing moral support and defending someone's reputation or principles.

FAQs

What does "stand by him" mean?

The phrase "stand by him" means to support and remain loyal to someone, especially during difficult times or when they are facing challenges. It implies a commitment to be there for them and offer assistance.

How can I use "stand by him" in a sentence?

You can use "stand by him" in sentences like: "Despite the controversy, his family decided to "stand by him"," or "His friends promised to "stand by him" throughout the trial."

What are some alternatives to saying "stand by him"?

Alternatives to "stand by him" include "support him", "back him up", "be there for him", or "stick with him" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "stand by him" versus "support him"?

"Stand by him" suggests a deeper, more unwavering commitment than simply "support him". While "support him" can refer to providing practical or emotional assistance, "stand by him" implies a steadfast loyalty, particularly when the person is facing adversity or criticism.