supporting crew

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supporting crew" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a group of individuals who assist or provide support in a particular task or activity, often in contexts like film production, sports, or events. Example: "The film's success was largely due to the hard work of the supporting crew, who managed everything behind the scenes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

A further 70 RAF personnel will oversee the use of Sentinel surveillance, to be based in Senegal with 70 supporting crew and technical staff, and 20 will staff a C-17 transport plane for a further three months.

The Guardian

"This is one of the most beautiful sets I've been involved in in television," she said to an assembled crowd that included Lauer and Guthrie, Today's anchors, and supporting crew.

The Guardian

Hollywood is a $100 billion-dollar global industry that's obsessed pop culture and audiences alike, but behind every summer blockbuster and tentpole are an unsung hundreds of supporting crew and assistants off-camera.

Vice

THollywoodood MBA: A Crash Course is Management from a Life in the Film Business by Tom Reilly is available online and in bookstores on January 10.

Vice

The comparison of different events is even more complicated as for example 'the English Channel Swim' is not a race but has to be completed by each athlete individually with a supporting crew [ 14].

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

By supporting crews for 684 days over a four-year period (with five long-duration crews unloading a dozen resupply craft and hosting 11 visiting crews), Salyut 6 greatly advanced the state of the art in space station operations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASAA) has expressed interest in quinoa for its potential to be grown aboard spacecraft to support crews on long-term missions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Ristaino radioed to his support crew in a van on the ground.

The New York Times

Will the support crew fall to pieces before the bus does?

The Guardian - Film

And, of course, there are always the celebrities, along with a support crew of film directors, producers and others.

The New York Times

Wieland, with a support crew of three, moved ploddingly, planting his arms and swinging his torso forward and back to take a step.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a "supporting crew", be specific about their roles and contributions to highlight their importance.

Common error

Don't diminish the value of the "supporting crew" by failing to acknowledge their specific skills and contributions. Acknowledge their roles explicitly to provide a complete picture of the team's effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supporting crew" functions as a noun phrase, where "supporting" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "crew". It describes a group of individuals who provide assistance, resources, or services to a main team or operation. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "supporting crew" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that refers to a team providing assistance to a main group. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not extremely common, the phrase appears in diverse sources such as news media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias, indicating its versatility. When using this phrase, it's important to be specific about the roles and contributions of the "supporting crew" to accurately convey their importance. Alternative phrases like "auxiliary team" or "assistance unit" can be used for variety, but "supporting crew" remains a clear and effective way to describe these essential individuals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

auxiliary team

Replaces "supporting" with "auxiliary", emphasizing the supplementary nature of the team.

mission support team

Highlights the role of team in supporting a mission.

backup personnel

Focuses on the personnel aspect, indicating they are available as a backup.

service team

Emphasizes the service they provide to the main crew or team.

assistance unit

Highlights the role of providing assistance rather than direct support.

technical support staff

Highlights the technical expertise provided by the support personnel.

help staff

A simpler, more informal way of saying "supporting crew".

logistics team

Focuses on the logistical support provided, especially for events or expeditions.

ground staff

Specifically refers to the personnel supporting operations on the ground.

second unit

Refers to a secondary film crew responsible for specific shots or scenes.

FAQs

How can I use "supporting crew" in a sentence?

You can use "supporting crew" to describe a team that provides assistance to a main group, such as in film production, sports, or space missions. For example: "The expedition relied heavily on its experienced supporting crew".

What can I say instead of "supporting crew"?

Alternatives include "auxiliary team", "assistance unit", or "backup personnel" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "supporting crew" in formal writing?

Yes, "supporting crew" is generally acceptable in formal writing, especially when referring to teams providing assistance in specific projects or events. However, consider more formal alternatives like "assistance unit" in highly formal contexts.

What is the difference between "supporting crew" and "support staff"?

"Supporting crew" often implies a team working together on a specific project or event, while "support staff" can refer to individuals providing general assistance in an organization.