supporting myself on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supporting myself on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a physical action of leaning or resting on something for support, or metaphorically when referring to relying on something for assistance or stability. Example: "I was supporting myself on the railing as I looked down at the bustling street below."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Law School full time, unemployed, with an $80,000 tuition commitment, and supporting myself on the kindness of friends and family, I was able to borrow, with no difficulty at all, $65,000 from a well-known bank as a second mortgage on my studio co-op apartment.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"And I couldn't have supported myself on that kind of book".

The Guardian - Books

My life is OK because my husband earns a decent wage but I certainly could not support myself on what I earn.

The Guardian

The woman who hired me, a fifties-era Vassar graduate, told me that she hoped I had an independent source of income, as I certainly wouldn't be able to support myself on my salary.

The New Yorker

Getting out of graduate school in a poor economy, I have been trying to figure out how to support myself on my own terms.

Huffington Post

I was supporting myself, and she could turn on the TV and actually see me.

The New York Times

I won't be able to support myself living on my own.

Huffington Post

"But welfare is expecting me to support myself and three children on what amounts to $500 per month" after her rent is paid -- "it's impossible".

The New York Times

One miscarriage later, the subsequent births of three children within five years, a workaholic husband who rarely lent a hand, and a three-year tour living overseas in furtherance of my husband's goals, I suddenly found myself nearing 40, about to be divorced, faced with full physical custody of my three kids, and no immediate means to support myself and my family on my own.

Huffington Post

I stopped practicing in 2004; during and prior to that, I supported myself and my family on a very full (40 plus hours a week) Feldenkrais practice".

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

My grandmother taught me how to embroider when I was 4. I first opened the shop so I could support myself while I was going on auditions, but when I got my hands on all those vintage dresses and started designing for the shop, I really got the clothing bug.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "supporting myself on", ensure the 'on' refers to the specific resource, skill, or means that provides your livelihood or stability. This adds clarity and context to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "supporting myself on" when you actually mean "supporting others". The reflexive pronoun 'myself' indicates that the support is directed towards the speaker, not others. Use a different phrase like "financially supporting my family" if that's the case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supporting myself on" functions as a verb phrase with a reflexive pronoun and preposition, indicating how an individual sustains themselves. It highlights the specific means or resource providing that support. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "supporting myself on" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that describes the means by which an individual sustains themself. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in various writing scenarios. It is important to ensure that the 'on' refers to a specific resource, skill, or means that provides the livelihood or stability. While versatile, the phrase should be used carefully to avoid confusion with supporting others. Predominantly found in news and media, but also within scientific and formal contexts, "supporting myself on" is a useful phrase for expressing self-reliance and financial independence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sustaining myself with

Emphasizes the means of providing for oneself, shifting from 'support' to 'sustain'.

providing for myself through

Focuses on the act of providing, highlighting the method used.

making a living from

Highlights the act of earning a livelihood from a particular source.

financing my life with

Specifically refers to the financial aspect of supporting oneself.

being self-sufficient through

Focuses on independence and the means of achieving it.

earning my keep through

Emphasizes earning one's sustenance, often implying effort or service.

subsisting on

Highlights survival and basic needs being met.

maintaining myself by

Focuses on the continuous effort of self-maintenance.

eeking out a living with

Implies struggling to make a minimal income.

living off of

Indicates reliance on a particular source for livelihood.

FAQs

How can I use "supporting myself on" in a sentence?

Use "supporting myself on" to describe how you sustain yourself financially or otherwise. For example, "I am supporting myself on my freelance income" or "She is supporting herself on her savings while she looks for a job."

What are some alternatives to "supporting myself on"?

Alternatives include "sustaining myself with", "providing for myself through", or "making a living from", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "supporting myself by" instead of "supporting myself on"?

While "supporting myself by" is grammatically correct, "supporting myself on" is typically used when specifying the exact thing providing support. "By" is more general. For example, "supporting myself by working hard" vs. "supporting myself on my investments".

What's the difference between "supporting myself on" and "depending on"?

"Supporting myself on" emphasizes self-reliance and the means by which you achieve it. "Depending on" implies reliance on something or someone else, rather than your own efforts. They have opposite meanings.