to bolster

USAGE SUMMARY

"to bolster" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to providing additional support, both physical and emotional, to something or someone. For example, "The government has promised to bolster the economy with additional spending."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The numbers seem to bolster his case.

The New York Times

Such actions were designed to bolster profit.

The New York Times

To bolster their profits and share prices.

The New York Times

He continued lessons to bolster his boxing.

The New York Times - Sports

Lionel tries to bolster Bertie's morale.

The New York Times

Several countries continued to bolster precautions.

The New York Times

The announcement failed to bolster stocks.

The New York Times

Expected to bolster a suspect offensive line.

The New York Times - Sports

This answer failed to bolster my case.

The New York Times

All the automakers are advertising heavily to bolster spring sales.

The New York Times

(Both tactics help to bolster its search-engine rankings).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to bolster", consider the specific context. Ensure that the action genuinely strengthens or supports the subject, rather than just superficially improving it.

Common error

Avoid using "to bolster" when the intended meaning is simply to 'add to' or 'increase'. Bolstering implies strengthening or reinforcing an existing structure or idea, not just making it larger.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to bolster" is as an infinitive verb phrase. It typically serves as an adverbial of purpose, explaining the reason or intention behind an action. Ludwig shows many examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to bolster" is a versatile and frequently used expression that conveys the idea of strengthening or supporting something. According to Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct and is commonly found in news and media, as well as formal business contexts. While alternatives like "to support" or "to reinforce" exist, "to bolster" carries a nuance of actively reinforcing something to make it stronger or more effective. It's essential to use it when you truly mean to strengthen and not just add to something. This comprehensive analysis helps to ensure its correct and impactful usage in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to reinforce

Emphasizes strengthening something that already exists, rather than simply supporting it.

to strengthen

Focuses on making something more robust or resilient.

to buttress

Similar to bolster, but often used in the context of providing external support.

to support

A more general term that indicates providing assistance or help.

to fortify

Suggests making something secure against attack or opposition.

to boost

Focuses on increasing something rapidly or significantly.

to augment

Highlights the addition of something to increase the size or value.

to underpin

Emphasizes providing a solid foundation or basis for something.

to enhance

Focuses on improving the quality or desirability of something.

to uphold

Implies maintaining or defending something, often a principle or law.

FAQs

How can I use "to bolster" in a sentence?

You can use "to bolster" to describe actions that strengthen or support something. For example, "The new evidence helped to bolster the argument."

What can I say instead of "to bolster"?

You can use alternatives like "to reinforce", "to strengthen", or "to support" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "to bolster" or "to enhance"?

"To bolster" implies strengthening something, while "to enhance" means improving its quality or desirability. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize reinforcement or improvement.

Which is more formal, "to bolster" or "to support"?

"To bolster" tends to be slightly more formal than "to support", making it suitable for professional or academic contexts where a stronger emphasis on reinforcement is desired.