supplement the supply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supplement the supply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of adding to or enhancing an existing supply of goods, resources, or information. Example: "To meet the increased demand, we need to supplement the supply of raw materials for production."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Mr. Giddens could use proceeds from a lawsuit against top MF Global employees, including the former chief executive, to supplement the supply of cash available to injured customers.

The New York Times

It is unlikely that one corneal substitute will be best for all indications, but taken together, the various approaches may soon be able to supplement the supply of human donor corneas for transplantation or allow restoration of diseased or damaged corneas that cannot be treated by currently available techniques.

The Ocular Surface

He did well, but it closed in a year and a half due to new city rules and he started another, and then another, growing plants in his apartment to supplement the supply brought by other brokers and growers.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In early 1945, the Japanese Government assessed that all convoy routes from the south would eventually be cut, and attempted to supplement the supplies of oil brought in by tankers by loading drums of oil on freighters.

Wikipedia

Researchers and clinicians have recently made progress to address these issues by supplementing the supply of donor corneas utilizing tissue engineering.

Principles of Tissue Engineering

Our goal was to abstract this complexity with a focus on the potential advantage to phage of supplementing the supply of D1 during infection.

Plosone

Wherever intensive agriculture was practiced, there arose a demand for nitrogen compounds to supplement the natural supply in the soil.

Britannica

New bioartificial liver devices are needed to supplement the limited supply of organ donors available for patients with end-stage liver disease.

Journal of Surgical Research

The transfer never took place; the reservoir stays with the environmental department for now, because the city decided that however remote the possibility, it might need the reservoir to supplement the water supply in an emergency.

The New York Times

Aquaculture, also called fish farming, fish culture, or mariculture, an approximate equivalent in fishing to agriculture that is, the rearing of fish, shellfish, and some aquatic plants to supplement the natural supply.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Underwood and Guth (1998) stated that perched water is able to supplement the groundwater supply and that the search for it led to the innovative use of the electrical resistivity method.

Applied Water Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "supplement the supply", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being added to and why it's necessary. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the communication.

Common error

Avoid using "supplement the supply" when a complete replacement is intended. Supplementation implies adding to an existing resource, not substituting it entirely. If a full replacement is needed, use terms like "replace the supply" or "substitute the supply" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supplement the supply" acts as a verb phrase within a sentence, typically functioning as the predicate or part of the predicate. It describes the action of adding to or enhancing an existing supply of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "supplement the supply" effectively conveys the act of adding to an existing resource to increase its availability or improve its quality. Ludwig confirms it's a usable phrase. While not extremely common, it appears in diverse contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedias. Using related phrases like "augment the supply" or "enhance the supply" can provide alternative ways to express this idea. Remember that supplementation implies an addition, not a complete replacement. Understanding these nuances ensures clear and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Augment the supply

Replaces "supplement" with "augment", maintaining the core meaning of increasing something.

Boost the supply

Uses "boost" instead of "supplement", implying a more significant or rapid increase.

Increase the supply

A more direct and simpler way of expressing the same concept.

Enhance the supply

Similar to "augment", but with a focus on improving the quality or effectiveness of the supply.

Bolster the supply

Suggests strengthening or reinforcing the supply, often against potential shortages.

Add to the supply

A straightforward alternative, emphasizing the addition of resources.

Expand the supply

Implies making the supply larger or more extensive.

Reinforce the supply

Focuses on strengthening the existing supply, often to ensure its reliability.

Replenish the supply

Suggests restoring a supply that has been depleted.

Fortify the supply

Implies strengthening the supply to withstand challenges or demands.

FAQs

How can I use "supplement the supply" in a sentence?

You can use "supplement the supply" to indicate adding to an existing resource. For example, "The company decided to supplement the supply of raw materials to meet the increased demand."

What are some alternatives to "supplement the supply"?

Alternatives include "augment the supply", "increase the supply", or "enhance the supply", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "supplement the supply" or "replace the supply"?

Whether to "supplement the supply" or "replace the supply" depends on the context. Supplementing means adding to an existing supply, while replacing means substituting it entirely. Choose the option that accurately reflects the intended action.

What does "supplement the supply" mean in the context of manufacturing?

In manufacturing, "supplement the supply" often refers to increasing the availability of raw materials or components to support production, especially when facing shortages or increased demand.