support the idea

USAGE SUMMARY

"support the idea" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express agreement, endorsement or backing of an idea. For example, "I wholeheartedly support the idea of increasing the number of diversity initiatives in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Politicians of all stripes support the idea.

The Economist

AMERICANS support the idea of controlling emissions.

The Economist

BP and Shell both support the idea.

The Economist

But other Republicans still support the idea.

The New York Times - Health

Several women's sports advocates now support the idea.

The New York Times - Sports

A glance at the numbers seems to support the idea.

Independent

Blacks and Latinos support the idea by large margins.

The Economist

But many parents support the idea as well.

The New York Times - Travel

Most Palestinians, polls suggest, would support the idea.

The Economist

There is some evidence to support the idea.

The New York Times - Health

But not all Arab-Americans support the idea.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, be specific about what aspect of the "idea" you "support". Instead of generally saying "I support the idea", clarify by saying "I support the idea of implementing sustainable practices in our daily operations."

Common error

Avoid using "support the idea" as a filler phrase. Provide context and specific reasons for your support. For example, instead of saying "I support the idea because it's good", explain why it's good, like "I support the idea because it will reduce our carbon footprint and save costs".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "support the idea" functions as a verb phrase, expressing agreement or endorsement of a concept or plan. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It indicates a positive stance towards a specific notion. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

40%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "support the idea" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase used to convey agreement or endorsement of a concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is applicable across various contexts, notably in News & Media and Scientific publications. When using this phrase, specificity is key, as is providing context for why the idea is supported. Alternatives such as ""endorse the concept"" or ""back the proposal"" can add nuance. By understanding its function, purpose, and potential alternatives, writers can effectively utilize "support the idea" in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endorse the concept

Replaces "support" with "endorse" and "idea" with "concept", suggesting a more formal approval.

advocate for the notion

Uses "advocate" to imply active promotion and "notion" as a slightly more abstract alternative to "idea".

back the proposal

Substitutes "support" with "back", implying a more active and involved endorsement, and replaces "idea" with "proposal", suggesting a specific plan.

agree with the thought

Uses "agree" to express alignment and "thought" as a simpler alternative to "idea".

favor the plan

Replaces "support" with "favor", suggesting a preference, and replaces "idea" with "plan", suggesting a detailed course of action.

promote the vision

Uses "promote" to imply active endorsement and "vision" to suggest a broader, more aspirational idea.

champion the cause

Replaces "support" with "champion", suggesting a more passionate and active endorsement, and "idea" with "cause", implying a belief or principle.

uphold the principle

Uses "uphold" to suggest maintaining or defending and "principle" to suggest a basic truth or belief.

subscribe to the theory

Replaces "support" with "subscribe", implying agreement and adherence, and "idea" with "theory", suggesting a systematic explanation.

ratify the suggestion

Uses "ratify" to imply formal approval and "suggestion" as a gentler alternative to "idea".

FAQs

How can I use "support the idea" in a sentence?

You can use "support the idea" to express agreement or approval. For example, "Many scientists "support the idea" that climate change is caused by human activity."

What can I say instead of "support the idea"?

You can use alternatives like "endorse the concept", "back the proposal", or "advocate for the notion" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "support the idea of" or "support the idea that"?

Both phrases are correct, but they introduce different types of content. "Support the idea of" is followed by a noun or gerund phrase (e.g., "supporting the idea of renewable energy"), while "support the idea that" is followed by a clause (e.g., "supporting the idea that renewable energy is the future").

Which is more formal, "support the idea" or "agree with the idea"?

"Support the idea" and "agree with the idea" are generally interchangeable in most contexts. The difference in formality is marginal; however, in some very formal contexts, ""endorse the concept"" might be preferred.