supportive character

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supportive character" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a character in a story, film, or other narrative forms who provides encouragement or assistance to the main character. Example: "In the novel, the supportive character played a crucial role in helping the protagonist overcome their challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The fault in our stars is about a young cancer patient called Hazel, her mother is a very supportive character unlike her daughter who prefers to read in bed.

The Guardian

In this function it has only a supportive character, classifying the design manager as a creative specialist towards product management, brand management, marketing, R&D, and communication.

Wikipedia

In contrast, LTCI accounts for durable ADL impairment and has only a supportive character.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Falk's supportive role as a manual worker coping with the problems of his emotionally scarred wife, played by Rowlands, revealed his talent as a character actor.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She made a conscious decision to create tenacious, supportive female characters, with a central trio comprising Knight, fellow lawyer Toni LaCollette and detective Bailey Keller.

The Guardian - Books

It's creating an environment that is credible but sometimes incredible, beautiful often in an ugly way, empathetic and supportive of the character and story, always aiming to be authentic in spite of being made up, imagined and existing in fiction.

The Guardian

Fans have distanced themselves from the small minority of extremists, and have been keen to stress their peaceful activism, described as "thousands of fans who are raising money for charity, sending polite letters, and doing what we can to be supportive of the character and actor".

Wikipedia

To emphasise the supportive and educational character of this control-intervention, the deliberate use of nurse practitioners or welfare workers was felt to be the most appropriate to deliver this intervention.

BMC Gastroenterology

The film's irony is both one of its dramatic strengths and, for the censors, a real challenge, as the most apparently positive characters are supportive of the communist regime.

The Guardian - Film

But the Lewis character also is supportive of the ailing Freud.

The New York Times

Giannini had heard supportive reviews of Eustachy's character from the athletic directors at Idaho and Utah State, where Eustachy had worked previously, and he had also taken a call from Floyd, whose father coached at Southern Miss and whose family is embedded in Hattiesburg.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character as "supportive character", consider specifying the type of support they offer (emotional, practical, etc.) to provide a more nuanced understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "supportive character" as a catch-all term. Instead, delve into the specifics of their actions and motivations to show, rather than tell, how they are supportive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supportive character" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "supportive" modifies the noun "character". This phrase is used to describe a character who provides help, encouragement, or emotional support to others within a narrative. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "supportive character" is a grammatically sound and usable term, albeit not very common, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It describes a character who provides assistance or encouragement, often in a secondary role. While its usage spans across various domains like News & Media, Wiki, and Science, it's essential to specify the nature of support offered for a more nuanced depiction. Alternatives like "encouraging character" or "helpful character" can be considered depending on context. The phrase, while accurate, benefits from specific details to enhance its descriptive power.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encouraging character

Replaces "supportive" with a synonym emphasizing the act of giving encouragement.

helpful character

Substitutes "supportive" with a term that highlights the act of providing help or assistance.

assisting character

Emphasizes the act of providing assistance, a direct synonym for supporting.

backing character

Uses "backing" to convey the idea of providing support or endorsement.

sustaining character

Highlights the character's role in maintaining or upholding someone or something.

a character who provides support

Rephrases the phrase into a clause, emphasizing the action of providing support.

a character offering encouragement

Focuses on the character's act of giving encouragement.

a character offering help

Directly states that the character provides help.

role of support

Shifts the focus to the function the character serves.

positive influence

Describes the character in terms of their impact.

FAQs

How can I use "supportive character" in a sentence?

You can use "supportive character" to describe a role in a story, such as: "In the novel, the protagonist relied heavily on the supportive character to overcome obstacles."

What are some alternatives to "supportive character"?

Alternatives include "encouraging character", "helpful character", or "assisting character" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What qualities define a "supportive character"?

A "supportive character" is typically kind, empathetic, and willing to help others. They often provide emotional support, practical assistance, or guidance to the main characters.

How does a "supportive character" differ from a protagonist?

While the protagonist is the main character driving the plot, a "supportive character" plays a secondary role by aiding and encouraging the protagonist. They are not typically the central focus of the narrative but contribute significantly to the protagonist's journey.