supportive of someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supportive of someone" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to talk or write about someone offering support to another person. For example, "My parents have been very supportive of me throughout my life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

You're supportive of someone else.

The Guardian - Music

"If you mean you're being supportive of someone who has a life, I'd say I've always done that.

The New York Times

You know the light I'm talking about: doing something kind for someone else or being supportive of someone who needs it or just being a friendly face in a dark crowd.

Forbes

Are you being supportive of someone's bad decisions and/or backing them up with additional suggestions?

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Think of someone supportive in your life.

WikiHow

It is now almost unthinkable that someone supportive of Corbyn's brand of Labour politics would not be on the ballot paper whenever there is a leadership vacancy – even without the proposed rule change.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bloomberg carefully studies each member of the Fed's Open Market Committee (the body that determines that crucial rate), and has rated Powell as precisely "neutral," meaning he is neither a "dove" (someone generally supportive of lower rates to increase employment) or a "hawk" (someone who is more worried about inflation and wants to use faster-rising rates to slow the economy down).

The New Yorker

"This move shows her to be someone who is above the fray; someone who is supportive of the bigger fight and lends her support to the regional party movement". Ms Mayawati has had a chequered political career.

BBC

I write this as someone cautiously supportive of the nuclear deal.

The Washington Post

"If someone is supportive of the president's policies, whether you agree with them or not, there should be some deference to the executive". Precisely: A vote for Ms. Lynch was not an endorsement of the president's policies.

The Washington Post

{Bendoni} When I think of a woman, I think of someone who is strong and supportive.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "supportive of someone" to clearly express that an individual or group provides encouragement, assistance, or approval to another person. Ensure the context clarifies the nature of the support being offered.

Common error

Avoid using "supportive of someone" when the intention is to describe general agreement or liking. The phrase implies active support, not just passive approval. For example, instead of saying "I am supportive of him" (when you mean you agree with him) try "I support him".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supportive of someone" functions as an adjectival phrase that describes a person, action, or entity that provides help, encouragement, or approval to another person. As shown in the examples provided by Ludwig, it clarifies the nature of support being offered.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "supportive of someone" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to express that an individual or entity provides help, encouragement, or approval to another. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is suitable for written English. The contexts where it appears most frequently include news, wikis, and science, indicating a neutral register. To ensure clarity, it's important to use the phrase when active support is intended, rather than just general agreement. Alternatives such as "supportive towards someone" or "in support of someone" may be considered to fine-tune the specific meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supportive towards someone

Replaces 'of' with 'towards', slightly altering the prepositional relationship but retaining the core meaning.

a supporter of someone

Shifts from an adjective to a noun phrase, emphasizing the role of being a supporter.

in support of someone

Uses a prepositional phrase to indicate support, often in a more active or demonstrative way.

an advocate for someone

Highlights active promotion and defense of someone's interests or cause.

a champion of someone

Implies strong and public support, often in the face of opposition.

standing by someone

Emphasizes loyalty and unwavering support, especially during difficult times.

on someone's side

Indicates alignment and agreement with someone, particularly in a conflict or disagreement.

backing someone

Suggests providing resources, encouragement, or approval to help someone succeed.

a friend to someone

Highlights the emotional and personal aspect of support, emphasizing care and understanding.

looking out for someone

Suggests protecting and caring for someone's well-being.

FAQs

How can I use "supportive of someone" in a sentence?

You can use "supportive of someone" to describe someone who offers encouragement, assistance, or approval to another person. For example, "My parents have always been very supportive of my decisions."

What's a good alternative to "supportive of someone"?

Alternatives include "supportive towards someone", "a supporter of someone", or "in support of someone", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "supportive to someone" instead of "supportive of someone"?

While "supportive to someone" might be understood, "supportive of someone" is the more standard and grammatically accepted phrasing.

What does it mean to be "supportive of" a cause or a person?

Being "supportive of" implies providing active encouragement, assistance, or approval. It goes beyond mere agreement and suggests a willingness to help and advocate for the cause or person.