substantial backing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial backing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe significant support or endorsement for an idea, project, or initiative. Example: "The new policy received substantial backing from both the community and local government officials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

It's hard to imagine that Covent Garden would have presented "1984" without Mr. Maazel's substantial backing.

The New York Times

McLeish has already spelled out his desire to bring in new players during January to help City in their fight against relegation, and Yeung is to give him substantial backing.

The Guardian - Sport

Slater, Minor and other leaders of Richmond's financial and legal community have signed onto a letter of support for Northam, a direct signal that the governor has substantial backing to ride out his uncomfortable situation for some time.

The Washington Post

This year, both candidates have won substantial backing from their national party organizations and individual members of Congress -- about a quarter of a million dollars for Mrs. Capps and more than twice that for Mr. Bordonaro, party aides in Washington said.

The New York Times

SoftBank grabbed headlines last year when news broke that the company was planning a $100 billion investment fund that would have substantial backing from Middle Eastern investors.

TechCrunch

The World Bank has given substantial backing to moves aimed at saving the tiger, and its president Robert Zoellick also referred to the need to reduce demand, especially in China and Vietnam.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

A baby hippo rested its plump chin on its mother's substantial back.

The New York Times - Travel

MS Sky Atlantic's deal with HBO allows it to trawl through a substantial back catalogue and re-broadcast some old favourites.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"With a substantial back catalogue of popular and niche entertainment and informative content, SBS On Demand competes directly with subscription on-demand services such as Stan, Foxtel and Netflix for content and viewers," the paper said.

The Guardian

The musician, who has died aged 69, became an innovator in business when he sold the rights to royalties from his substantial back catalogue for an upfront payment of £35m in the 1990s.

Independent

If the I.R.S. determines that a self-employed worker should have been an employee, it imposes substantial back taxes, penalties and interest on the hiring company — even if the self-employed worker fully paid his taxes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial backing", ensure that the context clearly indicates the source and nature of the support. Be specific about who or what is providing the backing, and what form it takes (financial, political, moral, etc.).

Common error

Avoid using "substantial backing" if the support is merely symbolic or minimal. Ensure that the backing is truly significant and impactful, rather than just a token gesture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial backing" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a verb (e.g., 'receive', 'provide', 'have'). It describes the act or state of having significant support, often financial or political, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial backing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote significant support. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and applicability across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. The phrase serves to emphasize the degree of support an entity receives, whether financial, political, or otherwise. While synonyms like "significant support" and "strong endorsement" offer alternative phrasing, it's crucial to ensure the support described is genuinely substantial to avoid misrepresentation. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for professional and formal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant support

Focuses more on the degree of assistance provided.

strong endorsement

Emphasizes the public approval and promotion.

considerable funding

Highlights the financial aspect of the support.

material assistance

Indicates tangible help and resources provided.

extensive patronage

Suggests a more long-term and influential backing.

major sponsorship

Implies a formal agreement of support, often financial.

notable advocacy

Highlights the public promotion and support of a cause or idea.

solid foundation

Conveys stability and reliability of the backing.

ample resources

Focuses on the availability of sufficient means and support.

robust championing

Emphasizes the enthusiastic and vigorous support.

FAQs

What does "substantial backing" mean?

The phrase "substantial backing" refers to a significant level of support, either financially, politically, or morally, that an individual, project, or idea receives. It implies more than just basic support; it indicates considerable resources and encouragement.

What can I say instead of "substantial backing"?

You can use alternatives like "significant support", "strong endorsement", or "considerable funding" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "substantial backing" in formal writing?

Yes, "substantial backing" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a neutral phrase that conveys a significant degree of support without being overly colloquial. It is commonly used in business, news, and academic contexts.

How does "substantial backing" differ from "moral support"?

"Substantial backing" implies tangible support such as financial or political aid, whereas "moral support" refers to encouragement and emotional support. The former provides concrete resources, while the latter offers intangible comfort.