support someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "support someone" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to providing assistance, encouragement, or backing to an individual in various contexts, such as emotional, financial, or practical support. Example: "During difficult times, it's important to support someone who is going through a tough situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's an effort to support someone on those terms.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We decided to support someone who would unify the country".

The New York Times

The only time we go to an event is to support someone.

Independent

There was just always that matey assumption that you had to support someone.

Independent

"It's easy to support someone when they're winning, but when they're losing it's not as easy.

Independent

How could a black man support someone with such a racist past?

The New York Times

I understand that some people think they couldn't support someone of my faith.

The New York Times

How can you support someone when you don't know their objectives?

The Guardian

"I can't support someone who supports so much bigotry and hatred.

The Guardian

Now she's trying to be a team player, trying to support someone Powell ostracised".

The Guardian

The level of support someone needs depends on them as an individual, including how severe their learning disability is".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "support someone", consider the specific type of support you are describing. Be clear whether you mean emotional, financial, or practical assistance. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures your message is well understood.

Common error

Avoid using "support someone" without specifying the context. For instance, saying "I support someone" without clarifying if it's in a political, emotional, or financial sense can lead to confusion. Always provide enough context to make your intent clear.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "support someone" is as a verb phrase acting as a transitive verb. The verb "support" takes "someone" as its direct object, indicating the recipient of the action. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "support someone" is a versatile and commonly used expression that signifies providing assistance, encouragement, or backing to an individual. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. When using "support someone", it is essential to provide sufficient context to clarify the nature of the support being offered. Alternatives such as "assist an individual" or "back an individual up" can be used to add nuance. By clarifying the type of support, writers can effectively communicate their intended meaning and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assist an individual

Replaces "support" with a more formal synonym, and "someone" with a more formal equivalent.

aid a person

Uses a simpler synonym for "support" and a general term for "someone".

back an individual up

Emphasizes the aspect of providing backing or defense.

lend assistance to someone

Highlights the act of offering help.

offer encouragement to a person

Focuses on the emotional or motivational aspect of support.

provide help for someone

Uses a more general term for assistance.

champion a person

Emphasizes advocating for someone.

stand by someone

Focuses on loyalty and unwavering support.

be there for someone

Highlights emotional availability and support.

give someone a boost

Suggests providing a temporary lift or advantage.

FAQs

How can I use "support someone" in a sentence?

You can use "support someone" to indicate providing assistance, encouragement, or backing. For example: "It's important to "help someone" during a difficult time".

What are some alternatives to "support someone"?

Alternatives include "assist an individual", "aid a person", or "back an individual up", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "support to someone"?

No, the correct phrasing is "support someone", not "support to someone". The verb "support" directly takes the person being supported as its object.

What's the difference between "support someone" and "stand by someone"?

"Support someone" generally means providing active assistance or encouragement. "Stand by someone", on the other hand, implies loyalty and unwavering presence, especially during difficult times. The second doesn't necessarily mean giving active support, but rather showing solidarity.