support yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

"support yourself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to encourage someone to take action, be confident and rely on their own abilities. For example: "Don't be afraid to take risks - support yourself and trust that you can achieve great things."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"How would you support yourself?" he asked.

The New York Times - Magazine

"As umpires," he said, "you have to support yourself.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's very hard to support yourself on that," she said.

The New York Times

You'd be able to support yourself and have a retirement you could live on".

The New Yorker

To support yourself in the sharing economy takes specialisation and discipline.

The Guardian

Just try, as many young writers do, to support yourself writing book reviews.

The New York Times

"To continue to support yourself and your family, you're going to have to go to school".

The New York Times

Three, it reduces the period during which you have to support yourself".

The New York Times

It's a recent development: you can have a job, support yourself and have a child".

The Guardian - Film

First, how do players like yourself support yourself during the year?

The New York Times

That special needs kid is dependent on you guys, and now you can't support yourself".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "support yourself" to encourage self-reliance and taking responsibility for one's own well-being or financial stability.

Common error

Avoid using "support yourself" in contexts where it implies isolating oneself from necessary help or fostering unhealthy independence to the detriment of collaborative efforts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "support yourself" functions primarily as an imperative, urging or advising someone to take responsibility for their own well-being, often in a financial or practical sense. As Ludwig AI points out, this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

39%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "support yourself" is a grammatically sound and frequently used imperative that encourages independence and self-reliance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and wide applicability. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, its register ranges from neutral to informal. To ensure proper usage, emphasize self-sufficiency without promoting isolation from necessary support. When offering advice or encouragement, consider the context to avoid misunderstandings. Alternatives such as "rely on your own resources" or "be self-sufficient" can provide nuanced options for expressing similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Rely on your own resources

Emphasizes dependence on internal abilities and resources rather than external help.

Be self-sufficient

Highlights the ability to provide for one's own needs without assistance.

Stand on your own two feet

An idiomatic expression that focuses on independence and self-reliance.

Be independent

Stresses freedom from external control or support.

Manage on your own

Focuses on the ability to handle situations and tasks without help.

Take care of yourself

Highlights personal well-being and providing for one's own needs.

Be your own provider

Emphasizes the role of being the sole source of sustenance and support.

Look after yourself

Focuses on ensuring one's own safety, health, and well-being.

Handle your own affairs

Highlights autonomy in managing personal matters and responsibilities.

Sustain yourself

Emphasizes the capacity to maintain oneself over time.

FAQs

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

You can use "support yourself" to encourage someone to be independent, such as in the sentence, "It's important to learn how to "support yourself" financially."

What does "support yourself" mean?

The phrase "support yourself" means to provide for your own needs, whether financially, emotionally, or physically, without relying on others.

Is it correct to say "supported yourself"?

Yes, "supported yourself" is the past tense form, used to describe having provided for your own needs in the past. For example, "She "supported herself" through college."

What are some alternatives to "support yourself"?

Alternatives include phrases like "rely on your own resources", "be self-sufficient", or "stand on your own two feet".