support something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "support something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing endorsement, assistance, or backing for an idea, project, or cause. Example: "Many organizations aim to support something that promotes environmental sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I wouldn't want to support something like that".

The New York Times

"The land just can't support something this big," he said.

The New York Times

They'll look like they're trying to support something.

The Guardian - Film

If evidence can support something, I'm all for it.

The Guardian

Setting up a page to support something you care about takes less than a minute.

The New York Times

The vast majority of people are delighted to support something like this.

The Guardian

Colorado, they say, cannot compel Mr. Phillips to support something he regards as sinful.

The New York Times

Yes now the government expects the opposition to support something before it is even reviewed.

The Guardian - Business

They had turned up only to support something they felt was the lesser of two evils.

Harvard Business Review

When politicians try to persuade us to support something they want, they often invoke the middle class.

The New York Times

"You are putting the burden on property owners to support something that is not necessarily benefiting them".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "support something", ensure that the object of support is clearly defined and that your reasoning for supporting it is evident to the reader. Providing context strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "support something" without specifying what you are supporting. Vague statements lack impact and can be misinterpreted. Always provide the necessary context for clarity.

Linguistic Context

"Support something" functions as a verb phrase where "support" is the transitive verb and "something" is the direct object. It expresses the act of providing assistance, approval, or resources to a particular entity, idea, or cause. This is consistent with the Ludwig AI analysis and examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "support something" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express endorsement or assistance for a particular entity, idea, or cause. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's versatile and applicable across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While generally neutral in tone, using specific language ensures clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement. Remember to avoid vagueness and always specify what you are supporting to prevent misinterpretations. Alternatives like "back a cause", "endorse an idea", or "advocate for a proposal" can offer subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

back a cause

Focuses specifically on supporting a cause or movement.

endorse an idea

Implies formal approval or agreement with an idea.

advocate for a proposal

Highlights active promotion and defense of a proposal.

champion a project

Suggests enthusiastic and dedicated support for a project.

promote an initiative

Emphasizes the act of raising awareness and encouraging participation in an initiative.

fund an endeavor

Specifically refers to providing financial assistance to an endeavor.

uphold a principle

Highlights the act of maintaining and defending a principle.

sustain an effort

Focuses on providing ongoing assistance to maintain an effort.

bolster an argument

Implies strengthening or reinforcing an argument with evidence or support.

ratify an agreement

Implies the formal approval of an agreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "support something" to express approval or assistance for an idea, project, or cause. For example, "I want to "support something" that benefits the local community".

What are some alternatives to "support something"?

Alternatives include "back a cause", "endorse an idea", or "advocate for a proposal", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct: "support something" or "supporting something"?

"Support something" is a verb phrase expressing a direct action, while "supporting something" is a gerund phrase that can act as a noun. The correct choice depends on the grammatical structure of your sentence. For instance, "Supporting something you believe in is important" uses the gerund phrase as the subject.

What does it mean to "support something"?

To "support something" means to provide assistance, approval, or resources to help it succeed or continue. This could involve financial contributions, public endorsements, or active participation.