supported themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supported themselves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe individuals or groups who are self-sufficient or financially independent. Example: "After years of hard work, they finally supported themselves and no longer relied on their parents for financial assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Thereafter, the Murrays supported themselves "a day at a time".

The Guardian - Books

A spokesman said the loans offered students more flexibility in how they supported themselves.

The Guardian - Money

The people wore their traditional dress almost exclusively and supported themselves by fishing and gathering fruit.

The New York Times - Travel

All were grotesquely burned, and they supported themselves with staves or leaned on one another.

The New Yorker

Since they supported themselves, they were colonists as well as troops.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There, in the eight years before Cornell, they supported themselves much as they had in Berlin.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Writers support themselves writing.

The New York Times

They are supporting themselves.

The Guardian

How would such projects support themselves?

The New York Times - Arts

Should Washington support cities, like Detroit, that cannot support themselves?

The New York Times - Books

The siblings support themselves on their own in Harlingen.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "supported themselves", ensure the context clearly indicates the means by which they achieved self-sufficiency. Specify if it was through employment, investments, or other means for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "supported themselves" when the individuals or groups received substantial external aid. The phrase implies a significant degree of self-reliance, so ensure this is accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supported themselves" functions as a verb phrase indicating the means by which individuals or groups provided for their own needs, typically financial. As Ludwig AI highlights, this implies self-sufficiency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

19%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "supported themselves" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe how individuals or groups achieved self-sufficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various domains, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. It implies financial independence and the ability to provide for one's own needs, as demonstrated in the provided examples. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the context clearly indicates the means by which this self-sufficiency was achieved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provided for themselves

Stresses the act of supplying their own necessities.

were self-sufficient

Focuses on the ability to provide for their own needs without external assistance.

became self-sustaining

Highlights the process of achieving the ability to maintain oneself independently.

were financially independent

Emphasizes financial autonomy and freedom from reliance on others.

took care of themselves

Emphasizes the responsibility of managing their own needs and well-being.

earned a living

Highlights the act of gaining income through work.

stood on their own two feet

Implies independence and self-reliance, often after a period of dependence.

sustained themselves

Focuses on maintaining life or existence, often in challenging conditions.

fended for themselves

Suggests taking care of themselves, especially in a difficult or competitive environment.

made ends meet

Indicates managing to cover basic expenses, often implying a struggle.

FAQs

How can I use "supported themselves" in a sentence?

Use "supported themselves" to indicate that individuals or groups provided for their own needs, typically financially. For example: "During their first years in America, the Mekas brothers "supported themselves" with factory work while trying to become filmmakers."

What are some alternatives to saying "supported themselves"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "were self-sufficient", "earned a living", or "were financially independent" as alternatives to "supported themselves".

Is it correct to say "they supported themselves" or "they supported themself"?

"They supported themselves" is correct. "Themselves" is the reflexive pronoun that agrees with the plural pronoun "they". "Themself" is not standard English.

What does it mean when a group "supported themselves through crime"?

When a group "supported themselves through crime", it means they obtained resources or income through illegal activities such as theft, robbery, or drug dealing. For example: "Some joined his tiny band of Tigers, who "supported themselves" by robbing banks and smuggling weapons from India."