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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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support to be

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "support to be" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a need for support in a certain context, but it lacks clarity and grammatical structure. Example: "We need to ensure that there is adequate support to be provided for the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Barr doesn't need any Democratic support to be confirmed.

Linux's hot-eject support to be fully stable.

Incorporating these modifications enabled a full heart cycle under LVAD support to be modelled.

Higher earnings cause tax credits, housing benefit and council tax support to be withdrawn, often simultaneously.

Each of them estimated the value of the support to be £8,880.

News & Media

The Guardian

Also many disabled people need extra support to be able to work.

News & Media

The Guardian

(New York allows child support to be paid for dependents beyond age 18).

News & Media

The New York Times

Landon Donovan needs a tremendous amount of support to be effective.

Have you always had the financial support to be a full-time sportsman?

The commercial and trade interests do not need military support to be progressed into today's world.

They would like that support to be withdrawn, precipitating an early election.

News & Media

The Economist
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace the phrase "support to be" with more direct constructions like "support that is needed" or "support required."

Common error

Refrain from using "support to be" when a more explicit verb construction would enhance clarity. Over-reliance on nominalizations can obscure the intended meaning.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "support to be" functions as an infinitive phrase, often indicating a need or potential for assistance. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it's frequently grammatically awkward and can lack clarity. Examples in Ludwig show varied contexts where this phrase is used, though more direct constructions are generally preferable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "support to be" is frequently encountered across diverse sources, including news, scientific articles, and academic papers, it is often considered grammatically incorrect and can lack clarity. According to Ludwig AI, using more precise phrasing like "support that is needed" or "support required" can enhance clarity and grammatical correctness. While the register is generally neutral, spanning multiple contexts, prioritizing more direct and grammatically sound alternatives strengthens effective communication.

FAQs

What does "support to be" generally imply?

It typically suggests a need or provision for assistance, resources, or foundational elements necessary for a specific outcome or activity.

Is "support to be" grammatically correct?

While commonly found, especially in certain contexts, it's often considered grammatically awkward. More precise phrasing usually improves clarity.

How can I rephrase "support to be" for better clarity?

Consider using alternatives like "support that is needed", "support required", or "assistance to be" depending on the context.

When is it acceptable to use "support to be"?

While not always ideal, "support to be" can be used in contexts where the meaning is clear from the surrounding text, such as informal or technical writing. However, strive for precision whenever possible.

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Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: