support them to

USAGE SUMMARY

"support them to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate that you are providing someone with help or assistance in order to help them achieve a goal. For example, "We want to help our employees increase their knowledge of the industry, so we are supporting them to attend conferences and seminars."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You need to support them to have their voice heard, and louder.

The Guardian

Now we also need to support them, to protect them and to stand witness.

The Guardian - Opinion

Support them to understand their values and clarify their vision for their life and work.

The Guardian

Then you must support them to get them where they want to go.

The Guardian

Value your people and support them to become the best they can be.

The Guardian

We can try to intervene, to support them to embrace life once more.

The Guardian - Opinion

But they cannot do it alone, they need the rest of the world to support them to achieve this goal.

The Guardian

The aim is to help youngsters overcome the trauma of migration, and to support them to rebuild their lives.

The Guardian

Our main audience is UCL staff and students to encourage and support them to work with communities.

The Guardian

"Builders often work in difficult and demanding environments and we must support them to ensure their health is not put at risk".

Independent

"We must accelerate the arming of the Syrian opposition and support them to besiege the regime until al-Assad accepts stepping down from power".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "support them to", ensure that the context clearly indicates the specific action or goal you are helping them achieve. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "support them to" without specifying what you are supporting them to do. For example, instead of saying "We support them to succeed", specify "We support them to develop new skills through training programs."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "support them to" functions as a verb phrase indicating assistance provided to enable someone to achieve a specific outcome. As Ludwig shows, this phrase is versatile and applicable across a wide array of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "support them to" is a grammatically sound and widely used verb phrase that indicates the act of providing assistance to enable someone to achieve a specific goal. Ludwig confirms its correctness and applicability in various contexts, primarily in news, scientific, and formal business settings. While versatile, clarity is key: always specify what you are supporting them to do. Alternatives like "help them to" or "assist them to" can be used depending on the desired nuance. By following best practices and avoiding vagueness, you can effectively use this phrase to convey your support and facilitate progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

help them to

Focuses on providing assistance; slightly more general than the original phrase.

assist them to

Implies a more formal or official type of help.

enable them to

Highlights the act of making something possible for them.

empower them to

Suggests giving them the power or authority to do something.

encourage them to

Focuses on providing motivation and confidence.

aid them in

A more concise and formal way of offering help.

facilitate their ability to

Focuses on easing the process or making it smoother.

back them to

Informal expression that implies providing encouragement and funds.

sponsor them to

Suggests financial or material support.

propel them towards

Focuses on urging them on to obtain a specific objective.

FAQs

How can I use "support them to" in a sentence?

You can use "support them to" to describe actions you take to help someone achieve a goal. For example: "We provide resources to "support them to" complete their education".

What are some alternatives to "support them to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "help them to", "assist them to", or "enable them to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "support them to" is grammatically correct and commonly used, as confirmed by Ludwig. It indicates providing assistance to help someone achieve something.

What's the difference between "support them to" and "helping them to"?

"Support them to" implies a more deliberate and structured form of assistance, whereas "helping them to" can be more general and informal. Both indicate providing aid, but the former suggests a more proactive approach.