supportive figure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supportive figure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person who provides emotional or practical support to someone else, often in a mentoring or nurturing role. Example: "Throughout her life, she always had a supportive figure in her mother, who encouraged her dreams and aspirations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Kaur has been a supportive figure in the courtroom during Chahal's probation revocation hearings, which have dragged on since April.

TechCrunch

I've yet to meet a talented youngster achieve long-term success without a supportive figure of some kind.

Huffington Post

He is no longer the upright, supportive figure that appeared in Two Men Contemplating the Moon in 1819.

Wikipedia

Mei has become a supportive figure to Panpan and her family.

Unicef

The supportive figure is describing a physiological experiment that was conducted during 2006-2007, and we are afraid it will be shadowing our main work from the 2011 experiment that includes physiological and RNseq sampling.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

James Franco must be one of Hollywood's most supportive figures when it comes to depicting stories of gay identity on film.

Independent

A crack 10-piece instrumental ensemble included the prodigious pianist Marc-André Marc-André Hameliny offered simple, supportive figures; Mr. Andsnes played the harmonium part on a synthesizer.

The New York Times - Arts

When our kids feel awkward, ambivalent or resistant in relation to us, it is our responsibility to make sure they have other supportive figures in their lives to whom they can turn.

Huffington Post

Key supportive figures were the family, hospital staff, school teachers and active role models.

BMC Pediatrics

In this phase, informal caregivers as well as their patients are mainly under shock and the caregivers cannot really act as supportive figures to help their loved one in effectively managing the disease.

BMJ Open

Our finding (Figures 3C, 3D, 3E, Supportive Information Figure S4 and Table S1) that 71% of the mRNAs have their MLR value which is dramatically reduced in the presence of puromycin+KCl suggests that ribosome association is required to maintain the asymmetric localization of these mRNAs.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “supportive figure” to describe a person who consistently provides encouragement and assistance.

Common error

Avoid using "supportive figure" when a more specific term like "mentor", "coach", or "advisor" would be more accurate. The phrase is best when referring to broad support across multiple areas of life.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supportive figure" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it describes a person who offers help and encouragement. Examples in Ludwig showcase its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "supportive figure" is a noun phrase used to describe someone who provides encouragement and assistance. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct. It appears more frequently in "News & Media" and scientific contexts, maintaining a generally neutral register. While not exceptionally common, it effectively conveys the role of a person who offers help and positive influence. When writing, remember that while accurate, more specific terms may be preferable to avoid overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

helpful presence

Focuses on the active help provided.

encouraging influence

Highlights the positive impact and inspiration.

nurturing mentor

Emphasizes guidance and personal growth.

reliable support

Stresses dependability and consistent aid.

steadfast ally

Implies loyalty and unwavering support.

guiding light

Suggests direction and wisdom.

positive role model

Highlights the exemplary behavior and influence.

beneficial contact

Focuses on the helpful association with someone.

backing influence

Stresses the element of encouragement and endorsement.

a pillar of strength

Highlights the resilience and support offered in difficult times.

FAQs

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

You can use "supportive figure" to describe someone who provides consistent encouragement and help, such as: "She was a "supportive figure" in his life, always believing in his potential."

What is a good alternative to "supportive figure"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "helpful presence", "nurturing mentor", or "positive role model".

What does it mean to be a "supportive figure"?

Being a "supportive figure" means providing emotional, practical, or motivational assistance to someone, helping them to achieve their goals or overcome challenges.

Is "supportive figure" formal or informal language?

"Supportive figure" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more specific terms might be preferable in certain professional settings.