was backed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was backed by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate support or endorsement from someone or something in various contexts, such as business, politics, or research. Example: "The initiative was backed by several prominent organizations, ensuring its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Goodell was backed by a rule.

The New York Times - Sports

One was backed by charter school supporters.

The Washington Post

Brat was backed by the tea party.

The Washington Post

Her stance was backed by experts.

The Guardian

Paul was backed by Senator Dianne Feinstein.

The Guardian

This argument was backed by Walsh.

The Guardian

The ban was backed by labor groups.

The New York Times

It was backed by two American studios.

The New York Times

The action was backed by labor groups.

The New York Times

He was backed by the secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon.

The Economist

The security was backed by subprime credit card loans.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was backed by", ensure that the subject receiving the backing is clearly defined. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid mixing tenses when describing the backing. For instance, don't say "the project was backed by donors who are investing now"; keep it consistent: "the project was backed by donors who invested previously" or "is backed by donors who are investing now".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was backed by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received support or endorsement from a specified source. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly conveys the idea of support or approval. Examples include "The ban was backed by labor groups" and "Her stance was backed by experts."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was backed by" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate support or endorsement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides helpful examples. It appears frequently in news and media, as well as in formal business contexts. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding the subject receiving support and avoid mixing tenses. Alternatives include "was supported by" and "was endorsed by", offering slight variations in meaning and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was supported by

Replaces "backed" with a more general term for providing assistance or approval.

was endorsed by

Suggests a more formal and public approval or recommendation.

was financed by

Focuses specifically on the financial support provided.

was championed by

Emphasizes active and enthusiastic support for a cause or person.

was underwritten by

Implies a formal agreement to assume financial responsibility.

was promoted by

Highlights efforts to advertise or advocate for something.

was ratified by

Indicates formal approval or confirmation by a governing body.

was fueled by

Suggests that something was powered or driven by another factor.

was initiated by

Highlights the origin or source that started something

was instigated by

Often used in cases when something bad happened, focusing on who or what has caused it.

FAQs

How can I use "was backed by" in a sentence?

Use "was backed by" to indicate that something received support or approval from a person, group, or organization. For example, "The proposal was backed by the city council".

What can I say instead of "was backed by"?

You can use alternatives like "was supported by", "was endorsed by", or "was financed by" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "was supported by" or "was backed by"?

Both phrases are correct, but "was backed by" often implies a more active or substantial form of support. "Was supported by" is a more general term.

What's the difference between "was backed by" and "was funded by"?

"Was backed by" implies general support, while "was funded by" specifically refers to financial support. The initiative could be backed by endorsements but funded by donations.