support the case for

USAGE SUMMARY

"support the case for" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to provide evidence or arguments to strengthen a particular argument or position. Example: The recent studies on the benefits of mindfulness meditation support the case for including it in school curriculum to improve students' mental well-being.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"The government needs to produce empirical evidence – not ideological platitudes – to support the case for change".

The Guardian

It added: "The government has produced no evidence to support the case for this fundamental reform.

The Guardian

Nevertheless, their leaders, Pitt and Dundas, would continue to support the case for Catholic emancipation.

The Guardian - Books

That conclusion would support the case for an earlier rate rise in order to contain inflation.

Independent

In this instance, the numbers do not support the case for active management.

The New York Times

MPs often support the case for reconfiguration generally but oppose the loss of services at their own local hospital.

The Guardian

Science continues to support the case for curbing greenhouse-gas emissions so as to minimise the risks of catastrophe.

The Economist

They contend the studies will support the case for using fewer biofuels and want the commission to release them.

The New York Times

Despite a weaker than expected Chicago PMI figure, investors believe the US economy may soon be strong enough to support the case for dearer borrowing.

The Guardian - Business

But this assessment appears to have been prepared in order to help the military remain on guard, rather than to support the case for military action.

The New York Times

"The ICO is gathering evidence from this and other time-barred cases to support the case for a change in the law.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "support the case for", ensure that the evidence or reasoning you provide directly relates to and strengthens the argument you are trying to make. Be specific and avoid vague generalizations.

Common error

Avoid including tangential information that doesn't directly "support the case for" the central argument. Irrelevant details can weaken your argument and confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "support the case for" functions primarily as a verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it introduces and strengthens an argument or position by providing evidence or reasoning. This involves showing that something is valid, reasonable, or worthy of consideration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "support the case for" is a versatile phrase used to provide evidence or reasoning that strengthens an argument or position. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in news media and scientific publications, its register is generally neutral to professional. When employing this phrase, ensure the evidence is relevant and directly reinforces your argument, while avoiding tangential details that might weaken it. Alternatives include "bolster the argument for" and "strengthen the justification for", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bolster the argument for

Replaces "support" with "bolster", suggesting a strengthening of the argument.

strengthen the justification for

Replaces "support" and "case" with "strengthen" and "justification", emphasizing the reinforcement of reasons.

substantiate the rationale for

Uses "substantiate" and "rationale" to imply providing evidence for the underlying logic.

validate the need for

Focuses on confirming the necessity of something rather than just supporting a general case.

provide evidence for

Directly states the action of offering proof or data.

justify the reason for

Emphasizes providing reasons to defend or explain something.

promote the cause of

Shifts the focus to actively advancing a cause or belief.

advocate the position of

Highlights the act of publicly recommending or supporting a specific stance.

back up the claim for

Implies providing confirmation or verification for a statement.

underpin the basis for

Suggests laying the foundation or providing a fundamental support.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "support the case for" in a sentence?

To effectively use "support the case for", clearly state the argument or position you are supporting and then provide specific evidence, reasoning, or examples that "bolster the argument for" it.

What are some alternatives to "support the case for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "strengthen the justification for", "provide evidence for", or "justify the reason for".

Is there a difference between "support the case for" and "prove the case for"?

"Support the case for" implies providing evidence or arguments to strengthen a position, while "prove the case for" suggests definitively establishing the truth or validity of that position. "Support" is less absolute than "prove the case for".

Can "support the case for" be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "support the case for" is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal writing, though the formality of the supporting evidence should match the context. For formal contexts, use robust data and academic citations. In more casual contexts, anecdotal evidence may suffice to "back up the claim for" something.