supports
supports — verb
- supportspresent simple I / you / we / they
- supportses3rd person singular
- supportsing-ing form
- supportsedpast simple
1. to express approval of an idea, a person, or a group, and to actively encourage
to express approval of an idea, a person, or a group, and to actively encourage them to achieve their aims
The local community supports the plan to turn the old factory into a public park.
support + plan / proposal / idea
Wei's family has always supported her decision to study medicine in Japan.
Several charities support the project by donating books and school supplies.
The senator announced that she would support the new climate bill in parliament.
Over two hundred residents signed a letter to support the bike lane proposal.
- oppose
to be against an idea or plan
文法句型
support + object
support + object + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Common in political, community, and workplace contexts. The object can be a person (e.g. 'support a colleague') or an abstract thing (e.g. 'support a proposal'). Distinguished from sense 2 by the target: sense 1 is for ideas, causes, or people in general; sense 2 is exclusively for sports teams and players.
常見錯誤
2. to want a particular team or player to win a game or competition, often shown by
to want a particular team or player to win a game or competition, often shown by watching or cheering for them
Diego has supported the same football club since he was seven years old.
support + club / team / player
Over forty thousand fans came to support their team in the championship final.
Elena supports the local basketball team and goes to every home game.
The whole village supports the national rugby team during the World Cup.
文法句型
support + team/player
用法筆記
Only used for sports teams or individual athletes. Do not use this sense for political candidates — use sense 1 (BACK IDEAS) instead. In British English, 'support' is the standard verb; in American English, 'root for' is also common in informal speech.
常見錯誤
3. to give someone the emotional strength or practical help they need during a diff
to give someone the emotional strength or practical help they need during a difficult time
After her mother passed away, Amara's friends supported her through the grieving process.
support + person + through + difficulty
The school counselling service supports students who are struggling with exam stress.
Kenji's colleagues supported him when he took on the extra project work.
Support groups exist to help people who are caring for elderly relatives at home.
Fatima's teacher supported her application to art school by writing a strong letter.
- neglect
to fail to care for someone who needs help
文法句型
support + person
support + person + through + difficulty
support + person + in + activity
用法筆記
The object is always a person or group. Frequently followed by 'through' (describing the difficulty) or 'in' (describing the activity). This sense differs from sense 4 (FINANCIAL SUPPORT) because the help is emotional or practical, not monetary.
常見錯誤
4. to provide a person with enough money to buy food, clothes, and to pay for a pla
to provide a person with enough money to buy food, clothes, and to pay for a place to live
Olusola works two jobs to support his wife and three young children.
support + family / dependents
The government program supports low-income families with housing and food costs.
After losing his job, Yuki's parents supported him until he found new work.
Many single parents struggle to support their children on just one income.
Carlos has four children and an elderly mother to support, so he rarely takes holidays.
- provide for
slightly more formal; emphasises care and responsibility
- maintain
formal; often used in legal contexts (e.g. child support)
文法句型
support + person/dependents
用法筆記
The object is typically a person or dependents, not an activity (use sense 5 for that). The focus is on covering basic needs such as food, housing, and clothing. Frequently appears with 'have to' or 'needs to' (e.g. 'She has three kids to support').
常見錯誤
5. to give the financial backing that allows an activity, project, or regular pract
to give the financial backing that allows an activity, project, or regular practice to continue
The company supports local arts events by providing free space for rehearsals.
support + event / activity + by + V-ing
A government grant supports research into renewable energy at the university.
Nadia took out a loan to support her plan of opening a small bakery.
The Martins cannot support their expensive lifestyle on a single teacher's salary.
文法句型
support + activity/habit/project
用法筆記
The object is an activity, project, habit, or lifestyle — not a person (use sense 4 for people). Different from sense 4 in the same way 'fund a project' differs from 'support a family'.
常見錯誤
❌ 'She works hard to support her children's hobbies.' — ambiguous between supporting the children (sense 4) and funding the hobbies (sense 5). Use sense 5 if the focus is on paying for the hobbies specifically.
6. to provide the basic conditions, such as food, water, and shelter, that are need
to provide the basic conditions, such as food, water, and shelter, that are needed for something to live or continue to exist
The river supports a wide variety of fish and plant life along its banks.
river / land / environment + supports + life
This small farm supports the entire village with fresh vegetables and milk.
The soil here is too poor to support any kind of crop farming.
A healthy ocean ecosystem supports millions of marine animals.
The wetland area supports many rare bird species throughout the year.
文法句型
support + life/crops/animals
用法筆記
The subject is usually an environment (land, river, ecosystem) and the object is living things (crops, animals, people). This sense describes natural conditions, not money or emotional help.
7. to hold something in position from underneath or against it so that it does not
to hold something in position from underneath or against it so that it does not fall down or give way
Four concrete pillars support the bridge over the river.
support + object (inanimate subject — structure)
Mayumi bought a firm mattress to support her lower back while sleeping.
support + body part
The old wooden chair could not support Henrik's weight and broke apart.
Strong metal beams support the ceiling of the underground car park.
Esteban used a thick strap to support his injured wrist during the match.
- drop
to let something fall because it is no longer held in position
文法句型
support + object
用法筆記
The subject is usually a solid object (pillar, beam, strap, wall) and the object is something that would otherwise fall or collapse. Can also be used for body parts that need physical relief.
常見錯誤
8. to provide facts or information that help show a theory, claim, or idea is true
to provide facts or information that help show a theory, claim, or idea is true or correct
The doctor's new research supports the idea that exercise improves memory.
research + supports + idea / theory / claim
Tariro found old letters that support her claim about the land ownership.
No scientific studies support the theory that this herb cures colds.
The fingerprints on the glass support the police officer's description of events.
Hui presented survey data that support her argument during the meeting.
- back up
less formal; used about a person providing evidence for another person's claim
- corroborate
more formal; specifically means confirming a statement with independent evidence
- confirm
suggests the evidence is conclusive, not just suggestive
- contradict
to show that a claim is not true or is inconsistent with evidence
- refute
to prove that a statement or theory is false
文法句型
support + object (a theory / claim / argument / idea)
be supported by + noun
用法筆記
Often used with evidence-related subjects — research, data, facts, findings, documents, tests. The passive form (be supported by + noun) is common in academic or formal writing.
常見錯誤
9. to be designed in a way that allows a particular type of software, file, functio
to be designed in a way that allows a particular type of software, file, function, or device to work correctly
This computer does not support the latest version of the operating system.
negative: does not support + system / format / device
The new app supports voice commands in five different languages.
support + function / feature
The hotel Wi-Fi supports up to fifty devices at the same time.
Does this office printer support double-sided printing automatically?
Sora's phone supports wireless charging, so he does not need any cables.
- work with
less formal; more general — suggests compatibility rather than built-in capability
- be compatible with
two-way compatibility between devices; more common for hardware
- reject
when a system or device refuses to accept a format or accessory
文法句型
support + object (a format / function / device / system)
用法筆記
The subject is a machine, system, or piece of software, and the object is a function, format, or accessory. This sense is very common in product descriptions, technical manuals, and IT contexts.
常見錯誤
10. to suffer through something unpleasant or difficult without giving up or complai
to suffer through something unpleasant or difficult without giving up or complaining
Wren could not support the constant noise from the street at night.
negative: could not support + unpleasant thing
Kabir supported his roommate's messy habits for a whole year before moving out.
The mountain villagers supported the long drought with very little water.
How can you support sitting in this tiny office for eight hours every day?
- tolerate
more common in everyday speech; focuses on allowing something without objecting
- bear
suggests mental or emotional strength while suffering
- put up with
informal; about accepting inconvenience or annoyance
- resist
to actively fight against something instead of enduring it
文法句型
support + object (a difficulty / pain / noise / hardship)
用法筆記
This sense is more common in formal or literary English than in everyday conversation, where tolerate, put up with, or bear are more frequent. The object is always something negative.
常見錯誤
11. to perform as a lesser-known act before the main performer or group in a concert
to perform as a lesser-known act before the main performer or group in a concert or show
A young singer from Taipei supported the famous band during their Asia tour.
support + performer (supporting act)
Before the headliner came on stage, a comedian supported them for thirty minutes.
The local jazz group supported the international star at the music festival.
Adaeze supported the lead actor in three plays at the National Theatre last season.
Several unknown artists supported the pop star during her world tour.
- open for
the standard alternative in American English; the performer opens for the main act
- be the support act for
a noun phrase used instead of the verb; more common in British English
- headline
to be the main performer that others support
文法句型
support + performer / band / artist
用法筆記
The supporting act is typically less famous than the main performer. In British English, the term support act is common for the performer, while in American English, opening act is more frequent.
supports — noun
- supportssingular
- supportsesplural
1. public approval and active encouragement for a person, idea, or group, shown by
public approval and active encouragement for a person, idea, or group, shown by actions such as voting, speaking in favor, donating money, or campaigning on their behalf.
The senator's plan for better schools won wide support from both parties.
win + support + from + group
Local residents showed their support for the new library by attending the town meeting.
The charity relies on the financial support of ordinary people to continue its work.
Tara gave her full support to the proposal for safer bike lanes in the city.
The proposal received strong support from community leaders at the public hearing.
- backing
similar meaning, slightly more informal and often used for money or resources
- endorsement
a formal public statement of support, more official in tone
- opposition
active disagreement or resistance to a plan or idea
文法句型
support + for + [person/idea/group]
用法筆記
Uncountable in this sense — do not say 'supports' to mean approval. Frequently takes the preposition 'for' (support for a plan) or 'from' (support from voters).
常見錯誤
2. help given to someone going through a difficult time, either by listening, offer
help given to someone going through a difficult time, either by listening, offering comfort, or doing practical things for them.
After her father passed away, Aoi received a lot of emotional support from her friends.
emotional support — aid during difficult times
The organization offers practical support to families struggling to pay their rent.
collocation: practical support
Liam's colleagues showed him tremendous support by covering his shifts at the hospital.
New parents often need extra support with childcare in the first few months.
- assistance
more formal; focuses on the practical act of helping
- aid
more formal; often used for organized help by institutions
文法句型
support + for + [person]
emotional/practical/moral + support
3. money that a person needs or receives to pay for basic things such as food, clot
money that a person needs or receives to pay for basic things such as food, clothing, and housing.
After losing her job, Valentina had no means of support and moved back home.
collocation: means of support
The government provides financial support for low-income families with young children.
Trang's only source of support was a small monthly check from her older sister.
Many students rely on their parents for financial support while they are at university.
- maintenance
legal term for money paid to support a former spouse or child; more formal
- subsistence
bare minimum needed to survive; more formal and less common
文法句型
means/source of support
financial support
4. a structure or object that holds something up from below, keeping it from fallin
a structure or object that holds something up from below, keeping it from falling, collapsing, or bending.
The bridge collapsed because one of its main supports gave way during the storm.
collocation: main supports
The wooden shelves need additional supports underneath to hold all the heavy books.
Workers installed steel supports in the tunnel to keep the ceiling from falling.
The old house was held up by temporary wooden supports while the foundation was repaired.
文法句型
[number] + supports
main/steel/wooden + supports
用法筆記
Countable in this sense — 'support' becomes 'supports' in the plural when referring to individual physical structures or props.
5. an item worn on a weak or injured body part to hold it firmly in the correct pos
an item worn on a weak or injured body part to hold it firmly in the correct position and prevent further damage.
After breaking his wrist, Zayd had to wear a firm support for six weeks.
wear + a support — medical device
The doctor recommended a knee support for running on hard surfaces.
Nkechi uses a back support when she lifts heavy boxes at her warehouse job.
Elastic ankle supports are commonly used by basketball players to prevent injuries.
文法句型
wear + a + [body part] + support
6. facts, data, or information that help to prove that a particular idea, claim, or
facts, data, or information that help to prove that a particular idea, claim, or theory is true or correct.
The researcher found strong support for her theory in the data she had collected.
collocation: support for a theory
Élise's argument lacks support because no studies have confirmed her claims.
The lawyer presented documents that offered further support for her client's case.
There is growing support for the view that regular exercise improves mental health.
- evidence
broader term; evidence is any information that points to a conclusion
- confirmation
stronger; confirmation proves something true beyond doubt
- contradiction
information that shows a claim is false
文法句型
support + for + [theory/claim/argument]
用法筆記
Uncountable in this sense — do not say 'supports' to mean evidence. Differs from sense 1 (PUBLIC BACKING) in that this refers to factual proof rather than human approval.
7. a musician, group of musicians, or other type of performer who goes on stage bef
a musician, group of musicians, or other type of performer who goes on stage before the main act at a concert or live show, usually to warm up the audience
Mei's band will be the support for the Japanese pop star's tour next spring.
the support for [headliner] — noun used with 'the'
The concert started at seven with a local support act from Birmingham.
support act — common compound noun
Tunde arrived late and missed the support, walking in just as the main act began.
Esme asked her manager to find her a support slot on the European festival tour.
- opening act
more common in American English; interchangeable with 'support act'
- warm-up act
informal; emphasises the role of getting the crowd excited before the main performer
- prelude act
less common; more formal or literary
文法句型
as support for [main performer]
support act
用法筆記
Often used in compounds such as support act, support band, and support slot. In informal British English you may hear 'the support' to refer to the entire supporting performance.