supporting part

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supporting part" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a component or element that provides assistance or reinforcement to a main structure or idea. Example: "The supporting part of the argument is crucial for establishing its validity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Later in 2011 comes a supporting part in the big-screen adaptation of David Nicholls's One Day.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The meal they had designed was a kind of last supper for the supporting part the armory played in this year's Whitney Biennial.

The New York Times - Food

That principle was established a while ago – when Hopkins won the lead Oscar as Hannibal Lecter in what was plainly a supporting part.

The Guardian - Film

True, she was only a comely cipher when she played the supporting part of Celia in "As You Like It" in the West End in 2005.

The New York Times

Kanin, Katharine Hepburn, and George Cukor rallied round, however, and showcased Holliday's comic talent in a scene-stealing supporting part in their hit film Adam's Rib (1949).

Encyclopedia Britannica

She did not, however, have another notable film role until 1979, when she played a supporting part in Edwards's popular comedy 10 (1979).

Encyclopedia Britannica

That's the biggest-ever debut for a film featuring Tom Hardy in the lead role: titles that opened bigger, such as Inception and The Dark Knight Rises, showcased the actor in a supporting part.

The Guardian - Film

He was less than a year out of high school and attending the State University of New York's Purchase College when he landed his first important role, a supporting part on a gone-in-a-flash television series called "Crackers".

The New York Times

But acting opposite Ben Stiller and Jeffrey Wright at the Public Theater in Mr. LaBute's acrid story of an interracial triangle, Ms. Peet stealthily turned a nominally supporting part into the play's moral and emotional center.

The New York Times

The show is eight essentially free-standing short films, all between twenty-six minutes and a half-hour in length, and several of which are connected tangentially (as with a lead character in one having a supporting part in another).

The New Yorker

Sebastian knows the hurry-up-and-wait routine that comes with a supporting part in a big show; he appeared on Broadway in "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" in 2011 and in the national tour of "Beauty and the Beast".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "supporting part" in technical writing, clearly define what the main part is to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "the supporting part", specify "the supporting part of the engine".

Common error

Avoid using "supporting part" when the element is actually essential or integral. If the part is critical for the function or success of the whole, use terms like "key component" or "essential element" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supporting part" functions as a noun phrase, typically identifying a component or element that provides assistance, reinforcement, or stability to a main structure or idea. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this phrase often appears in technical and analytical contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "supporting part" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote a component that provides assistance or reinforcement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific literature. While the phrase enjoys broad applicability, it is essential to maintain clarity and precision in technical writing, and not to use it to describe something that is essential. Alternatives such as "secondary role", "auxiliary component", and "contributing element" offer nuanced variations for conveying similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secondary role

Focuses on the degree of importance of the contribution.

auxiliary component

Highlights the function of providing assistance.

contributing element

Emphasizes the act of providing to the whole.

assisting role

Emphasizes the act of help or support.

reinforcing aspect

Highlights the strengthening or bolstering effect.

complementary section

Emphasizes how the element enhances the main part.

subordinate element

Focuses on its position in a hierarchy.

ancillary portion

Highlights being subsidiary or supplementary.

underlying structure

Emphasizes the foundational or supporting nature.

backup system

Suggests it only activates under specific circumstances.

FAQs

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

You can use "supporting part" to describe a component that assists or reinforces a primary structure or idea. For example: "The stiff pressurized foam enhances load carrying capacity both by supporting part of the load, and by retarding the buckling of thin-wall structural components."

What are some alternatives to "supporting part"?

Alternatives include "secondary role", "auxiliary component", or "contributing element", depending on the specific context.

Is "supporting part" the same as "main part"?

No, "supporting part" refers to a secondary or auxiliary element, whereas "main part" indicates the primary or most important component. The supporting part aids or reinforces the main part.

Can "supporting part" be used in contexts other than describing physical components?

Yes, "supporting part" can also be used metaphorically to describe roles, arguments, or ideas that reinforce or assist a primary concept. For example: "The supporting part of the argument is crucial for establishing its validity."