To support is to provide the necessary strength, resources, or encouragement for someone or something to remain stable and successful.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Provide assistance or resources to others.
- Hold something up to prevent it from falling.
- Give emotional encouragement or approval.
Overview
The verb 'support' is a versatile and fundamental word in English that bridges both physical and abstract concepts. At its most basic level, it describes the mechanical act of holding weight, such as a pillar supporting a roof. In a social or emotional context, it describes the act of backing someone up, offering comfort, or providing financial aid. Usage Patterns: When used with people, it often takes a direct object, such as 'I support my family.' When used in a physical sense, it describes a structural relationship, such as 'The foundation supports the entire building.' Common Contexts: You will hear this word in professional settings (supporting a colleague), personal relationships (supporting a friend during a hard time), and academic or technical settings (supporting an argument with evidence or supporting a structure with beams). Similar Words Comparison: While 'help' is a general term for giving assistance, 'support' often implies a more sustained, long-term commitment. 'Back' is an informal synonym often used in political or personal contexts to show agreement or approval, whereas 'sustain' is a more formal term used to describe keeping something alive or in existence over time.
Examples
I support my family by working hard every day.
everydayYo mantengo a mi familia trabajando duro todos los días.
The evidence does not support his theory.
formalLa evidencia no respalda su teoría.
Thanks for supporting me during the contest!
informal¡Gracias por apoyarme durante el concurso!
The bridge is supported by steel cables.
academicEl puente está sostenido por cables de acero.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
support system
sistema de apoyo
in support of
en apoyo de
financial support
apoyo financiero
Often Confused With
Help is general and can refer to a small task. Support implies a more significant or ongoing commitment.
Sustain is more formal and refers to keeping something going or preventing it from failing over time.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Support is a neutral verb that works well in almost any register. In formal contexts, it is often used with abstract nouns like 'policy' or 'argument.' In informal contexts, it is frequently used to show personal loyalty to people or groups.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'support to' instead of just 'support' followed by the object. For example, say 'I support him' instead of 'I support to him.' Also, remember that it is a verb, so use 'supportive' when you need an adjective.
Tips
Use support for long-term help
Use 'support' when talking about continuous help rather than a one-time favor. It implies a reliable foundation for someone or something.
Don't confuse support with carry
While they both involve weight, 'carry' means moving something from place to place. 'Support' means holding something in a fixed position to keep it stable.
Support in social contexts
In Western culture, asking for support is often seen as a sign of maturity. It is common to ask for emotional or professional support in the workplace.
Word Origin
The word comes from the Latin 'supportare', which means to carry or bring. It is a combination of 'sub' (from under) and 'portare' (to carry).
Cultural Context
In many cultures, the concept of social support is vital for community health. It is a common value to emphasize that individuals should support one another in times of crisis.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'super' hero who holds up a falling building. The word 'support' starts with 'sup', just like 'super', helping you remember that it means to hold something up.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsYes, you can support an idea or an argument by providing evidence, facts, or logical reasoning. This shows that your claim has a strong foundation.
No, it is frequently used for objects, systems, and abstract concepts. For example, a computer program might support a specific file format.
Assist usually refers to helping someone complete a specific task at a specific time. Support implies a broader, often more ongoing role in helping someone or something exist or succeed.
Often, yes. When you say you support a sports team, it means you are a fan of them and hope they win, which is a form of emotional or loyal support.
Test Yourself
My parents always ___ my dreams of becoming an artist.
Support fits the context of encouraging someone's goals.
These pillars support the heavy ceiling.
In this context, support means to hold the weight of something.
friends / support / need / we / each / other
This is the grammatically correct structure.
Score: /3
Summary
To support is to provide the necessary strength, resources, or encouragement for someone or something to remain stable and successful.
- Provide assistance or resources to others.
- Hold something up to prevent it from falling.
- Give emotional encouragement or approval.
Use support for long-term help
Use 'support' when talking about continuous help rather than a one-time favor. It implies a reliable foundation for someone or something.
Don't confuse support with carry
While they both involve weight, 'carry' means moving something from place to place. 'Support' means holding something in a fixed position to keep it stable.
Support in social contexts
In Western culture, asking for support is often seen as a sign of maturity. It is common to ask for emotional or professional support in the workplace.
Examples
4 of 4I support my family by working hard every day.
Yo mantengo a mi familia trabajando duro todos los días.
The evidence does not support his theory.
La evidencia no respalda su teoría.
Thanks for supporting me during the contest!
¡Gracias por apoyarme durante el concurso!
The bridge is supported by steel cables.
El puente está sostenido por cables de acero.
Quick Quiz
Parents work hard to ___ their children.
Correct!
The correct answer is: support
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