stood by him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stood by him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's unwavering loyalty to another person, often through difficult times or situations. For example: "Though the scandal threatened to ruin his career, his friends and family stood by him during the crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Davis stood by him.

The New Yorker

Officially they stood by him.

The New York Times - Arts

Hamilton stood by him, though.

The Economist

Andre's many friends stood by him.

The New Yorker

Why have they all stood by him?

Independent

Many stood by him".

The Guardian

Just 12 stood by him.

The Washington Post

They stood by him in June, remember.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ahmadinejad, however, has stood by him.

The Guardian

"You stood by him sending love daily.

The Guardian - Music

Writers have always stood by him.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stood by him", consider the nuance you want to convey. If you want to emphasize active support or defense, alternatives like "defended him" or "backed him up" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "stood by him" when the support was conditional or limited. This phrase implies complete and unwavering support, so ensure it accurately reflects the nature of the relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stood by him" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of providing unwavering support or loyalty. It describes how someone acted in relation to another person, particularly during difficult times. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stood by him" is a verb phrase indicating unwavering support and loyalty towards someone, especially during challenging times. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. Alternative phrases such as "supported him" or "remained loyal to him" can be used to convey similar meanings, though "stood by him" particularly emphasizes steadfastness and commitment. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the nature of the support provided, avoiding its application in situations where support was conditional or limited. This phrase implies complete and unwavering support, it is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supported him

Replaces "stood by" with a more direct synonym, focusing on the act of providing assistance or encouragement.

remained loyal to him

Emphasizes the continued allegiance and faithfulness towards the person.

stuck with him

Uses a more informal expression to indicate unwavering support, particularly during tough times.

defended him

Highlights the act of protecting someone from criticism or attack.

was there for him

Focuses on providing emotional or practical support during a difficult time.

backed him up

Suggests providing reinforcement or assistance, especially in a challenging situation.

never abandoned him

Emphasizes the absence of desertion, highlighting the steadfastness of the support.

upheld him

Implies providing moral or ethical support, maintaining someone's position or reputation.

gave him unwavering support

Highlights the steadfast and consistent nature of the support provided.

stood behind him

Suggests providing support from a position of authority or influence.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "stood by him"?

Saying someone "stood by him" means they provided unwavering support and loyalty, especially during difficult or challenging times. It implies a steadfast commitment to the person, even when others may have abandoned them.

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

You can use "stood by him" to describe situations where someone maintained their support despite adversity. For example, "Despite the controversy, his family "stood by him"."

What are some alternatives to saying someone "stood by him"?

Alternatives to "stood by him" include "supported him", "remained loyal to him", or "stuck with him", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "stood by him"?

Yes, "stood by him" is grammatically correct. "Stood" is the past tense of "stand", and "by" is a preposition indicating support or proximity. Ludwig AI confirms that this expression is correct and usable in written English.