support oneself

USAGE SUMMARY

"support oneself" is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone being able to provide for themselves. For example: "He learned the skills needed to support himself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

It is at the core of the human aspiration to be able to support oneself, to give one's children a better future.

The New York Times - Magazine

It continued: If the goal is to support oneself, and one's eventual family, there are better options, and ones that leave a young person with an actual skill.

The New York Times

"Yes, it would be wonderful to be wealthy or even to support oneself from writing, but if few books sell, then having few sales is not a badge of dishonour," she said.

The Guardian - Books

A New York appeals court essentially agreed last year, ruling that the state's responsibility ends after providing students with the skills needed to "get a job, and support oneself, and thereby not be a charge" on the public dole.

The New York Times

The true forces that are keeping us away from elite colleges are cultural: the fear of entering an alien environment, the guilt of leaving loved ones alone to deal with increasing economic pressure, the impulse to work to support oneself and one's family.

The New York Times

"The ability to 'function productively' should be interpreted as the ability to get a job, and support oneself, and thereby not be a charge on the public fisc," Justice Alfred D. Lerner wrote for three of the four judges in the majority in a 40-page decision.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

64% of moms and dads no longer believe reaching the age of 18 marks adulthood, and nearly half of people age 18 and over don't believe supporting oneself financially is a marker of becoming a grown up.

Huffington Post

As disclosure tends to be motivated by both the need for support for oneself as well as caring about the partner's well-being, the message that treatment has benefits for both partners is worth emphasizing.

BMC Public Health

The comprehensive intervention is a combination of PA and diet interventions with the integration of components from social cognitive theory [ 20] that emphasizes behaviour modification strategies for PA and diet (monitoring, goal-setting, obtaining parental support, and rewarding oneself for achieving goals).

BMC Public Health

The analysis resulted in the emergence of six themes and seven subthemes: confronting the disease using religious sentiment, seeking support, fighting the disease, defending oneself against the disease, concealing the disease, and expressing emotions.

Epilepsy & Behavior

Respondents had to choose between "do nothing and wait", "try to do something against it oneself or seeking support from family members or close friends", or "seek professional help".

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic papers, when analyzing socioeconomic factors, use "support oneself" to highlight the individual's capacity to contribute economically.

Common error

While grammatically correct, constantly using "support oneself" in casual conversation can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler phrases like "earn a living" or "take care of myself" in everyday speech.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "support oneself" functions as a verb phrase, expressing the ability or action of providing the necessary resources for one's own sustenance and well-being. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

28%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "support oneself" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of providing for one's own needs without external assistance. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, and the examples show its usage across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. While suitable for both formal and informal communication, being mindful of alternative phrasing in casual settings is recommended. Knowing how to "support oneself" is frequently portrayed as a key aspect of adulthood and self-reliance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide for oneself

Highlights the act of making provisions and ensuring one has what is necessary for life.

be self-supporting

A more formal synonym emphasizing the ability to maintain oneself without external help.

be financially independent

Stresses the freedom from reliance on others for money.

be self-sufficient

Emphasizes the ability to provide for all one's needs without external assistance, a broader concept than just financial support.

be able to pay your own way

Highlights that someone is paying for their own costs and expenses without support from others.

earn a living

Focuses specifically on the act of acquiring money through work to meet one's needs.

stand on your own two feet

Emphasizes independence and self-reliance, often after a period of dependence.

make ends meet

Focuses on managing one's finances to cover basic expenses, often implying a struggle.

take care of oneself

Focuses on broader aspects of self-care, including financial, physical, and emotional well-being.

subsist

Implies surviving with minimal resources, focusing on basic survival.

FAQs

What does it mean to "support oneself"?

To "support oneself" means to have the financial means to provide for your own needs, such as housing, food, and other necessities, without relying on others for financial assistance.

What are some other ways to say "support oneself"?

Alternatives include "earn a living", "provide for oneself", or "be financially independent". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more common to say "support oneself" or "support yourself"?

The reflexive form depends on the subject. You would say "I support myself", but more generally, "to support oneself" is used to describe the general concept.

How can one learn to better "support oneself" financially?

Improving one's financial literacy, acquiring marketable skills, budgeting effectively, and seeking career advancement opportunities are all strategies that help one to better "support oneself".