Explanation at your level:
To support means to help. If your friend is sad, you support them by being kind. If a shelf is heavy, a bracket supports it so it stays on the wall. You can support your family with money or love.
You use support when you want to show you are on someone's side. For example, 'I support my team.' It also means to hold something up. 'The legs of the table support the top.' It is a very common word for helping people.
In this level, support moves into abstract territory. You might support an idea or a political candidate. It also refers to technical support—when a computer expert helps you fix a problem. It is about providing the foundation for success.
Support is often used in professional contexts, like 'financial support' or 'emotional support.' You might also hear it in the context of 'supporting evidence' in an academic paper. It implies a degree of reliability and consistency in your actions.
At this level, support can imply systemic backing. Governments provide social support, and theories are supported by empirical data. It suggests a structural or argumentative foundation that prevents collapse or refutation.
In literary and advanced contexts, support can denote the act of sustaining existence itself. It touches on the philosophical idea of what holds up our reality. It is a cornerstone of both physical architecture and human social contracts.
30秒でわかる単語
- Support means to help or hold up.
- It is a versatile verb.
- It can be emotional or physical.
- It is very common in English.
When you support someone, you are acting as a pillar for them. Whether you are giving a friend a shoulder to cry on or donating money to a cause, you are providing the necessary strength for them to keep going.
In a physical sense, support is all about gravity. Think of a bridge; it needs pillars to support its weight. Without that foundation, the structure would simply crumble. It is a versatile word that bridges the gap between emotional kindness and physical stability.
The word support comes from the Latin supportare, which literally means 'to carry from below.' It is a combination of sub (from below) and portare (to carry).
Think of it as someone literally getting underneath a heavy load to help carry it. Over time, the word evolved from physical lifting to the metaphorical 'carrying' of people's dreams, finances, and emotional needs. It is a beautiful example of how language takes a physical action and turns it into a deep human value.
You will hear support used everywhere from the boardroom to the playground. In professional settings, companies support initiatives. In casual life, you might support your favorite sports team by wearing their jersey.
It is a neutral word that works in almost any register. Whether you are writing a formal essay about government support or telling a friend you support their decision, the word remains perfectly appropriate and clear.
Idioms often use the concept of support to describe loyalty. For example, 'throw your support behind' means to publicly announce your backing for a candidate. 'A tower of strength' describes someone who provides unwavering support during a crisis.
Other phrases include 'to back someone up' (to support them in an argument) and 'to hold up' (to support physically). These expressions show that support is deeply embedded in how we describe our relationships.
As a verb, support is regular. Its past tense is supported and its present participle is supporting. It is a transitive verb, meaning it usually needs an object—you support someone or something.
The pronunciation is /səˈpɔːrt/ in both British and American English, with the stress on the second syllable. It rhymes with 'report', 'port', and 'short'. Remember to keep that second syllable strong and clear!
Fun Fact
The word has been in English since the 14th century.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'o' sound.
Slightly rhotic 'r'.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the first syllable
- Dropping the 'r'
- Stressing the first syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
moderate
moderate
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
上級
Grammar to Know
Transitive Verbs
I support him.
Gerunds
I support running.
Passive Voice
It is supported.
Examples by Level
I support my friend.
I help my friend.
Subject + verb + object.
The wall supports the roof.
She supports her family.
I support this idea.
He supports the local team.
Who supports you?
The chair supports my weight.
They need your support.
I will support you.
The evidence supports his claim.
Technical support is available 24/7.
She needs emotional support.
They support the new policy.
The bridge is supported by steel.
Can you support your argument?
I support your choice.
The charity supports orphans.
The data strongly supports the hypothesis.
He has the support of his colleagues.
The government provides financial support.
She is a pillar of support.
The system doesn't support this file format.
They rallied to support the cause.
The pillars support the arch.
I'm here to support your career.
The findings support the prevailing theory.
He sought support for his candidacy.
The structure is supported by a complex network.
She is supported by a grant.
The argument is supported by logic.
We must support the democratic process.
His claims are unsupported by facts.
The foundation supports the entire building.
The infrastructure is supported by state funds.
He is supported by a vast network of allies.
The narrative is supported by historical evidence.
The weight of the sky supports the clouds.
She supports the weight of the world.
The theory is supported by extensive research.
The regime is supported by the military.
They are supported by their convictions.
よく使う組み合わせ
Idioms & Expressions
"throw support behind"
to back someone
I threw my support behind the bill.
formal"a pillar of support"
a very helpful person
She was a pillar of support.
neutral"back someone up"
to support in a conflict
Will you back me up?
casual"hold up"
to physically support
The post holds up the roof.
neutral"stand by"
to remain loyal
I will stand by you.
neutral"rally around"
to gather support
They rallied around the leader.
neutralEasily Confused
similar meaning
sustain is about time
I sustain my life.
synonym
help is more general
I help you.
synonym
assist is more formal
I assist the team.
synonym
back is casual
I back you.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + support + object
I support you.
Subject + support + object + in + gerund
I support him in winning.
Subject + support + object + with + noun
I support him with money.
It is supported by + object
It is supported by data.
Subject + offer + support + to + object
I offer support to him.
語族
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
関連
How to Use It
9
Formality Scale
よくある間違い
Support is a direct verb.
Don't add extra verbs.
Use possessive.
Data is often treated as singular.
Use the adjective form.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a pillar under your desk.
When Native Speakers Use It
When talking about sports teams.
Cultural Insight
Used in charity contexts.
Grammar Shortcut
Always follow with an object.
Say It Right
Stress the second syllable.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'support to'.
Did You Know?
It comes from Latin.
Study Smart
Use flashcards.
Formal usage
Use in essays.
Verb patterns
Support + ing.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Sub (under) + Port (carry) = Carrying from under.
Visual Association
A person holding up a heavy box.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Write 3 sentences using support.
語源
Latin
Original meaning: To carry from below
文化的な背景
None
Commonly used in sports and politics.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- technical support
- support the team
- provide support
school
- support the argument
- peer support
- teacher support
sports
- support the team
- fan support
- show support
relationships
- emotional support
- stand by
- support each other
Conversation Starters
"Who do you support?"
"How can I support you?"
"Do you support this idea?"
"Why is support important?"
"Who supports your goals?"
Journal Prompts
Write about someone who supports you.
How do you support your friends?
Why do you support your favorite team?
What is the best way to show support?
よくある質問
8 問Yes, it can be.
Yes, if you hold it up.
It is neutral.
Supported.
Subject + support + object.
No, but it works with prepositions.
Yes, it means you agree.
Metaphorically, yes.
自分をテスト
I ___ my friend.
Support means help.
Which means to hold up?
Support holds things.
Support can mean to help.
Yes, it is the main meaning.
Word
意味
Back is a synonym.
Standard order.
スコア： /5
Summary
To support is to provide the strength needed for someone or something to stand tall.
- Support means to help or hold up.
- It is a versatile verb.
- It can be emotional or physical.
- It is very common in English.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a pillar under your desk.
When Native Speakers Use It
When talking about sports teams.
Cultural Insight
Used in charity contexts.
Grammar Shortcut
Always follow with an object.
例文
I always support my friends when they are sad.
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