to champion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to champion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of supporting or advocating for a cause, idea, or individual. Example: "She decided to champion the rights of the underprivileged in her community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

From winner to champion.

The New York Times - Sports

Take a moment to champion unheralded writers.

The New York Times - Books

And "to champion truth.

The New York Times

We continued to champion it.

The Guardian - Film

Costner has continued to champion the centrifuges.

The Guardian

Government needs to champion them, support them.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We need to champion our greatest hopes".

The New York Times

We're going to champion small business.

The Guardian

I just wanted someone to champion me".

The Guardian

He also claims to champion spelling reform.

The Guardian - Books

A leader can't be expected to champion every big issue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to champion", consider the audience and context. While generally appropriate, in highly formal or academic writing, more neutral terms like 'to advocate' or 'to promote' may be preferable.

Common error

Avoid using "to champion" when the support is passive or minimal. This phrase suggests a strong, active, and often public endorsement. Using it for simple agreement or minor support can sound exaggerated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to champion" primarily functions as an infinitive verb expressing purpose or intention. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it is used to describe the act of supporting, defending, or advocating for a cause, person, or idea. Ludwig AI indicates that its usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to champion" is a grammatically correct and frequently used infinitive verb expressing the purpose of actively supporting or advocating for a cause, person, or idea. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It appears most often in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. While alternatives like "to advocate for" and "to support" exist, "to champion" implies a stronger, more proactive commitment. It's important to use it when conveying a genuine sense of enthusiastic endorsement and avoid overstating minimal support.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to advocate for

Emphasizes active public support and promotion of a cause or person.

to support

A more general term indicating approval and assistance.

to defend

Focuses on protecting someone or something from attack or criticism.

to promote

Highlights the act of encouraging the growth or popularity of something.

to stand up for

Implies taking a firm position in support of someone or something, especially in the face of opposition.

to endorse

Suggests giving formal approval or support.

to back

An informal term meaning to support or assist.

to uphold

Emphasizes maintaining or defending a principle or law.

to foster

Suggests nurturing and encouraging the development of something.

to further

Indicates helping something to progress or develop.

FAQs

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

You can use "to champion" to describe actively supporting a cause, idea, or person. For example, "She decided "to champion the rights" of the underprivileged in her community".

What can I say instead of "to champion"?

You can use alternatives like "to advocate for", "to support", or "to defend" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "to champion" or "for championing"?

"To champion" is an infinitive phrase often used to express purpose, while "for championing" is a gerund phrase that acts as a noun, often indicating a reason. Their correctness depends on the sentence structure and intended meaning.

What's the difference between "to champion" and "to promote"?

"To champion" implies a stronger, more active, and often public form of support than "to promote". Championing involves advocating for something, while promoting focuses on raising awareness or popularity.