support

USAGE SUMMARY

"support" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express encouragement, agreement, agreement, or aid. For example: "I am glad to support you in whatever way I can."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are very aware of the impact it will have on those involved and we are doing all we can to provide our support to those injured and their families.

The Guardian

They think it's unfair to expect Germany to make an open-ended commitment to support these countries in the absence of meaningful reform.

The New York Times

I can no longer support Govt policy on #Gaza".

The Guardian

Others want to find things that support what they want the party to do in the future.

The Guardian

If they are ruling out these extreme cuts for the most disabled and carers, then it is clear they will be hitting the tax credits, and support for children, for millions of working families".

The Guardian

So I don't support gay marriage despite being a Conservative.

The Economist

"I support gay marriage because I'm a Conservative".

The Economist

The support was fantastic".

The Guardian - Sport

There may be little appetite for further bloodshed from the Real IRA, and US president George Bush's new ultimatums on world terrorism may see further decline in support for Irish nationalists from the US.

The Guardian

The UN motion was passed on Tuesday night, with the support of the US, but a number of security council members condemned Russia's stance.

The Guardian

They knew he was making a mess of government and had lost support in the caucus.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "support" in a sentence, clearly specify what or whom you are supporting to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "We need support", specify "We need financial support" or "We need support from the community".

Common error

Avoid using "support" as a generic term. Instead, clarify the type of support you're referring to, such as financial, emotional, or technical, to provide more context and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "support" is as both a verb and a noun. As Ludwig AI indicates, it expresses encouragement, agreement, or aid. Examples from Ludwig showcase its usage in contexts ranging from financial backing to emotional endorsement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "support" is a versatile term used as both a noun and a verb, signifying aid, encouragement, and endorsement. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it sees very common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. The phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal communications. Common practice involves specifying the type of "support" to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases include "provide assistance", "offer backing", and "lend support", each offering nuanced ways to express the core concept. Leading sources like The Guardian and The New York Times frequently employ the term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide assistance

Focuses on the action of giving help or aid.

offer backing

Emphasizes providing encouragement and resources.

lend support

Highlights the act of giving support, often in a time of need.

give encouragement

Focuses on providing emotional support and motivation.

show approval

Emphasizes demonstrating agreement or positive regard.

stand by

Implies loyalty and readiness to defend or help.

uphold

Suggests maintaining or defending something, like a principle or law.

advocate for

Focuses on publicly recommending or defending a cause or person.

promote

Highlights efforts to further the progress or acceptance of something.

sustain

Emphasizes providing what is needed for something to continue or thrive.

FAQs

How to use "support" in a sentence?

You can use "support" as a verb or a noun. As a verb: "I "support" your decision." As a noun: "We need community "support" for this project."

What can I say instead of "support"?

You can use alternatives like "provide assistance", "offer backing", or "lend support" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "support" or "to support"?

Both "support" and "to support" can be correct depending on the sentence structure. "Support" can function as a noun or verb, while "to support" is the infinitive form of the verb.

What's the difference between "support" and "assistance"?

"Support" often implies endorsement or advocacy, while "assistance" primarily refers to providing help or aid. For instance, you might "support" a political candidate and offer "assistance" to a charity.