supported him to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supported him to" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly when trying to express assistance or encouragement towards achieving a goal. Example: "She supported him to finish his project on time."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Mostly, he's just grateful that the trust supported him to do it.

The Guardian

Locals immediately gathered around, and a few of them supported him to the emergency ward.

The New York Times

When Les showed an interest in performing, Winnie supported him to the hilt.

The Guardian

He asked those who supported him to stand; only nine did so.

The Guardian

Sensing that opinion was moving in his favour, he then asked those who supported him to stand, and the whole meeting rose with shouts of "pula" (rain).

The Guardian

"Understand what's at stake here, Massachusetts," Mr. Obama said, imploring those who supported him to take heed of the magnitude of the race to fill the seat of the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"I would definitely support him to be president".

The Guardian - Tech

Santos has tried to send the message that voters need not support him to support peace.

The Guardian

Whatever decision he takes in life, I'll support him to the best of my ability.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The board chose to support him to the max," Mr. DeWald said.

The New York Times

Mr. Ferrer then invited officials supporting him to the stage, producing another mostly nonwhite tableau.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for grammatically sound alternatives such as "helped him to", "assisted him in", or "enabled him to" to clearly convey the intended meaning of support or aid.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "supported him to" as it is not grammatically correct in standard English. Replace it with a more appropriate alternative like "helped him to" or "assisted him in" to ensure clarity and correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supported him to" functions as a connector indicating purpose or assistance. However, as Ludwig AI highlights, it's not grammatically correct. It's intended to show that support was given to achieve a specific outcome.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

28%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "supported him to" appears in various contexts, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Alternatives such as "helped him to" or "assisted him in" are preferable for clear and correct communication. Although this phrase appears in news and media, its usage is disputed and should be avoided in formal writing. Remember that while the intention behind "supported him to" is to indicate assistance towards a goal, its incorrectness undermines its effectiveness. Use the recommended alternatives to accurately convey your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

helped him to

This alternative uses a more direct verb, "helped", to indicate assistance, which is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

assisted him in

This phrase uses "assisted" which is more formal, and requires "in" because it's followed by an activity, making it grammatically correct.

enabled him to

This option focuses on empowering or making it possible for him to do something.

backed him in order to

This choice specifies that the support was given with a particular goal or aim in mind, adding emphasis to the intention.

aided him so that he could

This version explicitly states that the assistance was provided to facilitate a specific action.

gave him support to

This alternative rephrases the query to highlight the act of providing support with a specific objective.

provided him assistance for

This option emphasizes the provision of assistance tailored to a specific need or purpose.

offered him backing to

This choice focuses on the act of offering backing or endorsement in support of a goal or objective.

stood by him as he

This idiom conveys unwavering support during a period of action or challenge, highlighting loyalty and solidarity.

lent him a hand to

This option uses the common expression "lent a hand" which implies providing practical assistance with a task or endeavor.

FAQs

How can I correctly express that someone provided assistance?

Instead of saying "supported him to", use phrases like "helped him to", "assisted him in", or "enabled him to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "supported him to" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "supported him to" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use alternatives such as "helped him to" or "assisted him in".

What's a more formal way to say "supported him to"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "assisted him in" instead of "supported him to". This phrase conveys a similar meaning but is more appropriate for professional or academic contexts.

Which is correct, "supported him to" or "supported him in"?

Neither "supported him to" nor "supported him in" are ideal. Instead, use "helped him to" or "assisted him in". If you want to use "support" you can say "supported him by", for example: supported him by providing funds.