to support oneself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to support oneself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the means by which someone earns a living or sustains themselves financially. Example: "After graduating, she found a job that allowed her to support herself while pursuing her dreams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

It is at the core of the human aspiration to be able to support oneself, to give one's children a better future.

The New York Times - Magazine

It continued: If the goal is to support oneself, and one's eventual family, there are better options, and ones that leave a young person with an actual skill.

The New York Times

"Yes, it would be wonderful to be wealthy or even to support oneself from writing, but if few books sell, then having few sales is not a badge of dishonour," she said.

The Guardian - Books

The true forces that are keeping us away from elite colleges are cultural: the fear of entering an alien environment, the guilt of leaving loved ones alone to deal with increasing economic pressure, the impulse to work to support oneself and one's family.

The New York Times

Capacity to support oneself financially.

BBC

The struggle to support oneself and its accompanying anguish are nothing new.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Socio-cultural and intrinsic factors like less personal and social time and the inability to financially support oneself and family were more important among male physicians.

BMC Health Services Research

No longer being able to work and support oneself, and therefore feeling like a "loser", is also most likely also influenced by norms in society.

BMC Public Health

"The ability to 'function productively' should be interpreted as the ability to get a job, and support oneself, and thereby not be a charge on the public fisc," Justice Alfred D. Lerner wrote for three of the four judges in the majority in a 40-page decision.

The New York Times

A New York appeals court essentially agreed last year, ruling that the state's responsibility ends after providing students with the skills needed to "get a job, and support oneself, and thereby not be a charge" on the public dole.

The New York Times

It was not discrepant in their philosophy of community accountability to support others while still advocating for oneself.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing long-term financial goals, use “to support oneself” to convey stability and planning.

Common error

Avoid using “to support oneself” in very casual conversation; simpler phrases like “earn a living” may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to support oneself" functions as an infinitive phrase, commonly used as a verb complement or to express purpose. It describes the action of providing for one's own needs, particularly financial needs. Examples from Ludwig show its use in discussing financial independence and the ability to earn a living.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to support oneself" is a common and grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to describe the act of providing for one's own needs, especially financially. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is quite versatile, appearing across various contexts like news, science, and general reference materials. While generally neutral to professional in register, it is important to consider the specific audience and context when choosing this phrase, as simpler alternatives might be more appropriate in casual settings. To avoid common errors, remember that while closely related, supporting oneself as a gerund is not the same as the infinitive form "to support oneself". Overall, this expression is a useful tool for discussing financial independence and self-reliance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be self-supporting

Similar to self-sufficient, but emphasizes financial aspect.

to be self-sufficient

Focuses on the ability to provide for all one's needs without external assistance.

to be financially independent

Specifically highlights freedom from financial reliance on others.

to earn a living

Emphasizes the act of working to gain income.

to provide for oneself

Highlights the act of supplying necessities for oneself.

to make ends meet

Focuses on managing income to cover basic expenses.

to be able to pay one's way

Emphasizes the ability to cover one's expenses.

to stand on one's own two feet

Idiomatic expression emphasizing independence and self-reliance.

to be independent

Broader term encompassing various forms of self-reliance, including financial.

to keep oneself afloat

Highlights struggling to stay financially stable.

FAQs

How can I use "to support oneself" in a sentence?

You can use "to support oneself" to describe the act of earning enough money to live and provide for your needs. For example: "After graduating, she needed to find a job "to support herself"."

What is a simpler alternative to "to support oneself"?

Alternatives include "earn a living", "make ends meet", or "be self-sufficient", depending on the specific context.

Which is more formal: "to support oneself" or "earn a living"?

"To support oneself" is generally considered slightly more formal than "earn a living", although both are acceptable in most contexts.

Is "supporting oneself" the same as "to support oneself"?

While closely related, "supporting oneself" is the gerund form and often functions as a noun, while "to support oneself" is the infinitive form and typically functions as a verb or part of a verb phrase. For example, "Supporting oneself financially is a major life goal."