supporting the motion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supporting the motion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as debates, legal discussions, or formal meetings where someone is expressing agreement with a proposal or argument. Example: "The committee members were unanimous in supporting the motion to increase the budget for community programs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Alan Duncan, the former international development minister, said he would be supporting the motion.

Independent

But the failure of the campaign is not my principal reason for supporting the motion of no confidence in Jeremy Corbyn.

The Guardian - Opinion

But McConnell and other Republican leaders were unable to stop some of the six fellow GOP senators from supporting the motion.

The Guardian

The Organization of American States voted not to recognize Maduro's new term, with 19 nations supporting the motion, six against and eight abstaining.

The Washington Post

Xenophon said he was not supporting the motion because the governor general ought to act on instructions of the executive, but he had "very serious concerns" about the way that the royal commission had operated in some respects.

The Guardian

The MP for Enfield Southgate, Tory David Burrowes, praised colleagues for supporting the motion but said he did not consider them "particularly brave" for speaking out on the issue.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

He supports the motion.

The Guardian

To a man, they supported the motion.

The New York Times

He WILL support the motion.

The Guardian

The Independent group also supported the motion.

The Guardian

Labor has yet to decide if it supports the motion.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "supporting the motion", ensure that the context clearly indicates which specific motion is being referenced to avoid ambiguity. Consider briefly restating the motion if necessary.

Common error

Avoid implying universal agreement when only specific aspects of the motion are supported. Clearly delineate the extent of your endorsement to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supporting the motion" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of giving approval or endorsement to a formal proposal. Ludwig provides several examples illustrating its use in diverse contexts, affirming its role in conveying agreement and advocacy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

12.5%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Science

12.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "supporting the motion" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate agreement with a proposed action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively communicates endorsement in various settings, from formal debates to news reports. While versatile, it's crucial to provide context to ensure clarity about the specific motion being supported. Alternative expressions, such as "endorsing the motion" or "backing the motion", can be used depending on the desired level of formality. The sources suggest the phrase's prevalence in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Wiki, making it a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endorsing the motion

Replaces "supporting" with a more formal synonym, implying explicit approval.

in favor of the motion

Expresses a general positive stance towards the motion.

backing the motion

Uses a more informal term for "supporting", suggesting active advocacy.

approving the motion

Suggests formal acceptance or authorization of the motion.

favoring the motion

Indicates a preference for the motion, suggesting a positive inclination.

upholding the motion

Suggests defending or maintaining the motion, often in a legal or procedural context.

advocating for the motion

Implies active promotion and defense of the motion.

championing the motion

Conveys strong support and active promotion of the motion.

seconding the motion

Refers specifically to the act of formally supporting a motion in a meeting or debate.

standing by the motion

Indicates unwavering support, even in the face of opposition.

FAQs

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

You can use "supporting the motion" to indicate agreement with a proposal, such as: "The committee members are "supporting the motion" to increase funding for education".

What can I say instead of "supporting the motion"?

Alternatives include "endorsing the motion", "backing the motion", or "favoring the motion", depending on the context and desired nuance.

Is it more formal to say "supporting the motion" or "backing the motion"?

"Supporting the motion" is generally considered more formal, while ""backing the motion"" is more informal. Choose based on the formality of the setting.

What's the difference between "seconding the motion" and "supporting the motion"?

"Seconding the motion" refers specifically to the act of formally endorsing a motion during a meeting to allow it to be discussed. "Supporting the motion" is a broader term for agreeing with or advocating for a motion.