supportive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supportive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that provides encouragement, assistance, or emotional support. Example: "Her supportive nature made it easier for him to overcome his challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Education

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When Unite asked current students about their accommodation, many of them said they were surprised how easy it was to make close, supportive friends in halls, which gave them a support network to fall back on through all the ups and downs of student life.

The Guardian

Scores of people have offered accommodation, and supportive messages have been directed at him via social media, including from the actor Samantha Morton and the model Lily Cole.

The Guardian

Protests, petitions, two call-ins of the plans by supportive councillors to the Overview and Scrutiny committee, a new (yet still flawed) consultation process in recognition of the initial inadequate attempt, and much publicity.

The Guardian - Books

The Abbott government has raised the ire of Beijing with statements interpreted as supportive of Japan in the dispute, but Carr said the Abbot government had, in fact, been "impeccable neutral" in its approach to the dispute.

The Guardian

The African Union and most southern African nations have generally been supportive of the vote, but sharp criticism has come from non-governmental groups and western governments including Britain.

The Guardian

While it has a close relationship with Indiana's capital city, college sports have been at the forefront of several breakthroughs for gay rights in the last two years, and the young adults and college students the NCAA represents have generally been supportive of those changes.

The Guardian - Sport

I also know that she would be equally supportive if I decide, or circumstances lead, to not having children.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Comments range from the disgusted and supportive to the offensively vile.

The Guardian - Music

Malik has stayed in touch with other housemates, who have been supportive.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The school administration was fully supportive of the union's actions, she added.

The Guardian

There are, of course, many Democrats in Iowa who are strongly supportive of the former first lady, although they appear to be keeping a low profile.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing individuals or groups, use "supportive" to highlight their role in providing encouragement and assistance to others.

Common error

Avoid using "supportive" as a generic positive adjective in formal writing. Instead, choose more precise words that specify the type of support being offered, such as "financially stable" or "legally compliant".

Linguistic Context

The adjective "supportive" primarily functions to describe someone or something that provides assistance, encouragement, or emotional comfort. As seen in Ludwig, this word is frequently used to highlight positive attributes and the provision of aid.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Lifestyle

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Education

8%

Science

7%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "supportive" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term to describe something or someone that provides assistance, encouragement, or emotional comfort. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples shows that it is most frequently found in News & Media, Lifestyle, and Formal & Business contexts. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal settings. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness, emphasizing its broad usability and positive connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encouraging

Emphasizes the act of giving someone confidence.

helpful

Focuses on providing practical assistance.

compassionate

Highlights the empathy and understanding shown.

understanding

Stresses the act of grasping someone's situation or feelings.

caring

Emphasizes a sense of concern and kindness.

sympathetic

Focuses on sharing in someone's feelings or pain.

assisting

Highlights the act of aiding or helping.

aiding

Focuses on providing help or support, particularly in a difficult situation.

backing

Emphasizes the act of providing financial or political support.

pro-

This prefix indicates a position in favor of something.

FAQs

How to use "supportive" in a sentence?

You can use "supportive" to describe people, environments, or policies that provide help, encouragement, or resources. For example, "She has a very supportive family" or "The company has a supportive work environment".

What can I say instead of "supportive"?

You can use alternatives like "encouraging", "helpful", or "compassionate", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "supportive of" or "supportive to"?

"Supportive of" is generally the preferred and more grammatically correct preposition to use with "supportive". For example, "She is supportive of my decision" is better than "She is supportive to my decision".

What's the difference between "supportive" and "sympathetic"?

"Supportive" implies providing active help and encouragement, while "sympathetic" suggests understanding and sharing someone's feelings. While someone can be both, "supportive" focuses on action, and "sympathetic" focuses on emotion.