supporting the idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supporting the idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing evidence, arguments, or reasoning that reinforces a particular concept or belief. Example: "The research findings are supporting the idea that regular exercise improves mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Three bills have been introduced in Congress supporting the idea.

The New York Times

One local man persisted in supporting the idea.

The New York Times

Those in favour had different reasons for supporting the idea.

The Guardian - Business

That way we can claim credit for supporting the idea.

The New York Times

Citibank even issued an analysts' note supporting the idea.

The New York Times

It's about supporting the idea that they don't have to have every last second structured".

The New York Times

Earlier this year the Yorktown Town Board unanimously passed a resolution supporting the idea.

The New York Times

But all those well-documented negatives have not stopped the Commerce Department from supporting the idea.

The New York Times

He also plans to take a petition with 10,000 signatures supporting the idea.

The New York Times

Just before Christmas, I wrote a column supporting the idea for some new thinking in economics.

The Guardian - Business

The question that faces anyone supporting the idea of co-operative development doesn't often get asked.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "supporting the idea", ensure that the evidence or rationale is clearly linked to the specific idea you are referencing. This strengthens your argument and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "supporting the idea" when the evidence only supports a specific aspect of the idea. Be precise about which parts are being supported to avoid overstating your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supporting the idea" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun complement or part of a verb phrase. It indicates the action of providing evidence or reasoning to validate a concept. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a common and accepted way to express endorsement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "supporting the idea" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that signifies providing evidence or justification for a concept. As Ludwig AI affirms, its versatility makes it suitable for diverse contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. While seemingly simple, consider nuance in how you choose the phrase, as it's imperative to link rationale directly to the precise idea referenced, avoiding scope overgeneralization. Understanding the core meaning and context is fundamental to using "supporting the idea" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endorsing the concept

Replaces "supporting" with "endorsing" and "idea" with "concept", implying approval and advocacy.

backing the notion

Substitutes "supporting" with "backing" and "idea" with "notion", suggesting providing assistance or validation.

promoting the viewpoint

Changes "supporting" to "promoting" and "idea" to "viewpoint", focusing on actively advancing a particular perspective.

advocating the principle

Replaces "supporting" with "advocating" and "idea" with "principle", implying publicly recommending or supporting a cause or policy.

championing the cause

Changes "supporting" to "championing" and "idea" to "cause", suggesting fighting for or defending a belief.

affirming the belief

Substitutes "supporting" with "affirming" and "idea" with "belief", indicating confirmation and defense of a conviction.

seconding the proposal

Replaces "supporting" with "seconding" and "idea" with "proposal", suggesting formal agreement with a suggestion.

upholding the theory

Changes "supporting" to "upholding" and "idea" to "theory", implying maintaining and defending a scientific explanation.

justifying the rationale

Substitutes "supporting" with "justifying" and "idea" with "rationale", suggesting providing reasons or evidence to defend a logical basis.

validating the hypothesis

Replaces "supporting" with "validating" and "idea" with "hypothesis", indicating confirming the accuracy of a scientific assumption.

FAQs

How can I use "supporting the idea" in a sentence?

You can use "supporting the idea" to indicate that evidence, research, or arguments strengthen or validate a particular concept or belief. For example, "New research is "supporting the idea" that climate change is accelerating."

What are some alternatives to "supporting the idea"?

Alternatives include phrases like "endorsing the concept", "backing the notion", or "promoting the viewpoint", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "supporting the idea" and "advocating the idea"?

"Supporting the idea" generally means providing evidence or reasons to believe in something, while "advocating the idea" implies actively promoting or defending it. "Advocating the principle" suggests a more proactive and persuasive approach.

Can "supporting the idea" be used in both formal and informal writing?

Yes, "supporting the idea" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. However, the tone and complexity of the surrounding language should match the context. In formal writing, ensure your support is well-documented and clearly articulated.