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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
supportive support
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "supportive support" is correct and usable in written English, though it may be considered redundant.
You can use it when emphasizing the nature of the support being provided, particularly in contexts where both the act of supporting and the emotional or moral backing are highlighted. Example: "The team provided supportive support to each other during the challenging project, ensuring everyone felt valued and encouraged."
Environmental Management
Huffington Post
TechCrunch
Vice
BMJ Open
Core Evidence
BMC Public Health
BMC Infectious Diseases
Behaviour Research and Therapy
The New York Times
The Guardian - Sport
Health & Justice
Cancer Nanotechnology
BBC
Evolution: Education and Outreach
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
BMC Health Services Research
British Journal of Psychiatry
Human Resources for Health
BMC Psychiatry
WikiHow
The New York Times - Sports
International Journal of STEM Education
Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation
Annals of Intensive Care
F1000Research
BMC Oral Health
BMC Nursing
The New Yorker
BioMed Research International
Cancer Medicine
ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research
Alternative expressions(5)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
60 human-written examples
In line with the institutional framework, the prominent attitude towards result-orientation among the policy makers in the survey was supportive (supported by 6 of 9 policy makers); in contrast, only 4 farmers were unequivocally in favor of this approach.
Science
Outside the not-so-supportive support system at SDCP, Peggy has more power, but plenty of uncertainty along with it, and star Elisabeth Moss told The Huffington Post that the season's main theme is "people trying to get away from themselves and having a lot of trouble with that, and being chased by their own shadows".
News & Media
Thanks to the country's supportive regulatory support network, the U.K. is a leading fintech hub.
News & Media
Jauncey said, of the repeated surveying of the local community: "not only has it always consistently shown that the majority are supportive, the support has actually increased overtime.
News & Media
They describe their role as supportive, including support concerning patients' struggles in accepting the incurable nature of the disease.
Science
Treatments directed at caregivers, including supportive psychotherapy, support groups, and respite care, are likely to be helpful to the caregiver and consequently may benefit patients as well.
Science
The utility of the GHS coaching component could be further promoted with changes to the GHS introductory script and through general mass-media campaigns promoting healthy weight which incorporate the GHS in a supportive "pull" support style campaign.
Science
(Caregiver, 8) The whole family was very supportive; they supported me every time I must go to the hospital, they ask, "Can I take you?" and the one can go to work or so.
Science
We expected socially anxious people to both perceive themselves and be rated by partners as less supportive when providing support and that they would receive less support from their partners when disclosing their positive event.
There are other, more indirect ways that a parent can also be truly supportive if direct support is elusive.
News & Media
West Ham United's David Gold – ironically, perhaps, the least able to do something to bring about safe standing given that his club do not own their stadium – has been the most vocal owner in favour but many more are privately supportive and would support some sort of trial.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Avoid using the phrase "supportive support" in formal writing; instead, opt for concise alternatives like "strong support" or "encouragement".
Common error
Be mindful of repetitive phrasing in your writing. While "supportive support" isn't grammatically incorrect, it adds unnecessary words that can weaken your message. Choose one word that encapsulates both the nature and act of support.
Source & Trust
77%
Authority and reliability
3.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "supportive support" functions as a noun phrase where an adjective ("supportive") modifies the noun ("support"). However, it is highly redundant. As Ludwig AI points out, such constructions are generally stylistically weak and better replaced by a single, well-chosen word.
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Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while grammatically acceptable, the phrase "supportive support" is generally considered redundant and stylistically weak. According to Ludwig AI, better alternatives like "strong support" or simply "support" are usually preferable to avoid unnecessary repetition. Ludwig examples show that it can be usable in certain contextes, especially when emphatizing the positive and motivational aspect of the support. It's advisable to use concise and precise language, especially in formal writing, and to choose stronger alternatives that convey the intended meaning more effectively.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
redundant assistance
Highlights the unnecessary repetition in "supportive support".
encouraging reinforcement
Emphasizes the positive and motivational aspect of the support.
affirmative aid
Suggests help that confirms and validates the recipient's efforts.
positive assistance
Focuses on the optimistic and constructive nature of the support.
additional encouragement
Highlights the extra effort to motivate someone.
reinforcing assistance
Emphasizes that the help provided strengthens the recipient.
supportive assistance
Slightly less redundant while retaining the core meaning.
extra encouragement
Stresses that there is more encouragement.
heightened support
Indicates an increased level of backing or assistance.
affirmative assistance
Emphasizes the validation aspect of the help given.
FAQs
Is it grammatically incorrect to say "supportive support"?
While not strictly incorrect, "supportive support" is considered redundant. Using just "support" or other alternatives provides a clearer and more concise expression.
What are some alternatives to saying "supportive support"?
You can use alternatives like "strong support", "encouraging assistance", or simply "support" depending on the context.
When might "supportive support" be acceptable to use?
It might be acceptable in very informal contexts where you want to emphasize the supportive nature of the help being provided, but even then, it's generally better to rephrase for clarity.
How can I avoid redundancy in my writing like "supportive support"?
Review your writing for phrases that repeat the same meaning. Replace them with single words or rephrase to convey the same idea more efficiently. For example, instead of "supportive support", consider "meaningful support".
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
77%
Authority and reliability
3.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested