stick up for

USAGE SUMMARY

'stick up for' is correct and widely used in written English.
It is often used to describe defending someone or something. For example: "My friend always knows that I have her back and will stick up for her when she needs it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"To stick up for myself".

The Guardian

I stick up for people..

The Guardian - Opinion

A governor has to stick up for her state".

The New York Times

Ms. Cash learned to stick up for herself.

The New York Times - Books

And why wouldn't H. stick up for me?

The New Yorker

You don't have to stick up for me — it's O.K.

The New Yorker

"Stick up for that song!" a teacher called out.

The New Yorker

K.C.: I love women that stick up for other women.

The New York Times

Who'll stick up for them if the media doesn't?

The Washington Post

I stick up for people when people are unjustly accused.

The Washington Post

I knew Jake would stick up for me".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stick up for" when you want to emphasize defending someone who is being challenged or criticized. It implies active support and a willingness to take a stand.

Common error

While "stick up for" is widely used, it's generally considered informal. In formal writing, consider using more formal alternatives like "defend", "support", or "advocate for" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "stick up for" is a phrasal verb, acting as a transitive verb when it takes a direct object. Ludwig AI confirms it's used to express active defense or support of someone or something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stick up for" is a very common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to express active defense or support. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is most appropriate in informal to neutral contexts, though it appears frequently in news and media. For more formal writing, alternatives like "defend" or "support" may be more suitable. To effectively use "stick up for", remember that it implies a willingness to take a stand for someone or something, and be mindful of the level of formality in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stand up for

Very similar, emphasizes taking a public position in favor of someone or something.

defend

This alternative directly indicates protecting someone from harm or criticism.

protect

This alternative focuses on shielding someone from danger or negative consequences.

support

This implies providing assistance or approval to someone or something.

come to the defense of

This suggests actively intervening to protect someone from criticism or attack.

back

A more informal way of saying to support someone.

champion

This suggests actively advocating for someone or something.

take someone's side

This indicates aligning oneself with someone in a dispute or argument.

advocate for

This means publicly recommending or supporting a particular cause or policy.

rally behind

This implies gathering support for someone or something.

FAQs

How can I use "stick up for" in a sentence?

You can use "stick up for" to show support or defend someone, like in the sentence, "I will always "stick up for" my friends."

What are some alternatives to "stick up for"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "defend", "support", or "stand up for" as alternatives to "stick up for".

When is it appropriate to use "stick up for"?

"Stick up for" is appropriate in informal settings and when you want to emphasize your active support or defense of someone. In more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "defend" or "advocate for".

Is "stick up for" grammatically correct?

Yes, "stick up for" is a grammatically correct phrasal verb. It's a common and accepted expression in English.