used to support

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "used to support" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you need to describe something that has been used to provide evidence or justification for a certain idea or opinion. For example: "The report cited various statistics which were used to support the company's argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I used to support the death penalty.

The Economist

Brown used to support the Texans.

The Guardian - Music

He said he used to support Democrats.

The New York Times

They used to support scores of salmon canneries.

The New York Times

All profits from Inkanatura Travel are used to support conservation.

The New York Times - Travel

No funds were used to support this work.

Nature

Nor was it used to support organised crime in Australia.

The Guardian

Steel cables are used to support the batten.

Britannica

Metals and mining products are increasingly used to support development.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What platform is used to support the Extended Classroom?

Yale University

This method is used to support other work on privacy.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing past practices, ensure the context clearly indicates why something "used to support" a particular outcome or situation. Provide specific details to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Be specific about when something "used to support" a particular purpose. Avoid vague statements without clear temporal markers as it can confuse the reader about the relevance and currency of the support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "used to support" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something was employed in the past to provide evidence, justification, or assistance. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples show it in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

51%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "used to support" is a versatile verb phrase indicating past reliance or utilization. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and its widespread usage across news, scientific, and academic contexts underscores its neutrality and applicability. When employing this phrase, ensure that the timeframe is clearly defined and the context specifies the nature of the support provided. Remember to select alternative phrases such as "was utilized to support" or "served to underpin" for semantic variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was utilized to support

Emphasizes the act of employing something for support.

was formerly used for

States the previous purpose or function.

served to underpin

Highlights the role of providing a foundation or basis.

helped to sustain

Focuses on the aspect of maintaining or prolonging something.

was designed to back

Focuses on the intention or purpose of providing support.

previously assisted in

Highlights a prior role in aiding or facilitating.

once bolstered

Emphasizes the act of strengthening or reinforcing in the past.

was meant to uphold

Emphasizes the intended role of maintaining or defending.

used to prop up

Conveys the idea of supporting something that might be weak or unstable.

once contributed to

Highlights the contribution or assistance provided in the past.

FAQs

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

The phrase "used to support" indicates that something previously served as a basis or justification. For instance, "The data "used to support" the initial hypothesis was later found to be flawed".

What are some alternatives to "used to support"?

You can use alternatives like "was utilized to support", "served to underpin", or "helped to sustain" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is used to support" instead of "used to support"?

Yes, but the meanings are different. "Is used to support" implies current usage, while "used to support" indicates past usage. For example, "Steel cables are "is used to support" the batten" implies that this happens in current time, while "The press "used to support" whistleblowers" means that the press did so in past time.

What's the difference between "used to support" and "used for supporting"?

"Used to support" implies a past action or state where something provided support. "Used for supporting" describes the intended purpose. For example, "The funds "used to support" the project were insufficient" versus "The funds are "used for supporting" new initiatives".