supports
supports — 動詞
- 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
支持；聲援
贊同並鼓勵某人或某事
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.
當地社區支持將舊工廠改造成公園的計畫。
support + plan / proposal / idea
Wei's family has always supported her decision to study medicine in Japan.
Wei 的家人一直支持她到日本學醫的決定。
Several charities support the project by donating books and school supplies.
多家慈善機構透過捐贈書籍和學校用品來支持這個計畫。
The senator announced that she would support the new climate bill in parliament.
這位參議員宣布她將在國會支持新的氣候法案。
Over two hundred residents signed a letter to support the bike lane proposal.
兩百多位居民簽署信件，支持增設自行車道的提案。
- 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
為⋯加油
期望某球隊或選手獲勝
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.
Diego 從七歲起就一直支持同一支足球隊。
support + club / team / player
Over forty thousand fans came to support their team in the championship final.
超過四萬名球迷到場支持他們的球隊參加總決賽。
Elena supports the local basketball team and goes to every home game.
Elena 支持當地的籃球隊，每場主場比賽都會去看。
The whole village supports the national rugby team during the World Cup.
整個村莊都在世界盃期間為國家橄欖球隊加油。
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
扶持；援助
給予情感或實際幫助
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.
Amara 的母親過世後，她的朋友們扶持她度過了悲傷的時期。
support + person + through + difficulty
The school counselling service supports students who are struggling with exam stress.
學校的輔導服務為因考試壓力而困擾的學生提供支持。
Kenji's colleagues supported him when he took on the extra project work.
Kenji 接下額外的專案工作時，同事們都很支持他。
Support groups exist to help people who are caring for elderly relatives at home.
支持團體的設立是為了幫助在家照顧年長親屬的人們。
Fatima's teacher supported her application to art school by writing a strong letter.
Fatima 的老師寫了一封有力的推薦信來支持她申請藝術學校。
- 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
供養；撫養
提供生活所需費用
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.
Olusola 打兩份工來養活妻子和三個年幼的孩子。
support + family / dependents
The government program supports low-income families with housing and food costs.
政府的計畫為低收入家庭提供住房和食物費用的補助。
After losing his job, Yuki's parents supported him until he found new work.
Yuki 失業後，他的父母一直資助他直到他找到新工作。
Many single parents struggle to support their children on just one income.
許多單親家庭的父母僅靠一份收入很難養活孩子。
Carlos has four children and an elderly mother to support, so he rarely takes holidays.
Carlos 有四個孩子和年邁的母親要養，所以很少休假。
- 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
資助；贊助
為活動或習慣提供資金
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.
這家公司提供免費排練空間來支持當地的藝術活動。
support + event / activity + by + V-ing
A government grant supports research into renewable energy at the university.
一筆政府補助金支持大學裡的可再生能源研究。
Nadia took out a loan to support her plan of opening a small bakery.
Nadia 貸款來支持她開一家小麵包店的計畫。
The Martins cannot support their expensive lifestyle on a single teacher's salary.
Martins 一家人無法靠一份教師薪水來維持昂貴的生活方式。
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
養育；維持
提供生存所需的基本條件
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.
這條河流沿岸養育著多種多樣的魚類和植物。
river / land / environment + supports + life
This small farm supports the entire village with fresh vegetables and milk.
這個小農場養育著整個村莊，供應新鮮蔬菜和牛奶。
The soil here is too poor to support any kind of crop farming.
這裡的土壤太貧瘠，無法養育任何農作物。
A healthy ocean ecosystem supports millions of marine animals.
健康的海洋生態系統養育著數百萬種海洋動物。
The wetland area supports many rare bird species throughout the year.
這片濕地全年養育著許多稀有鳥類。
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
支撐
從下方撐住以防止掉落
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.
四根混凝土柱支撐著河上的橋樑。
support + object (inanimate subject — structure)
Mayumi bought a firm mattress to support her lower back while sleeping.
Mayumi 買了一張硬床墊，在睡覺時支撐她的下背部。
support + body part
The old wooden chair could not support Henrik's weight and broke apart.
那張舊木椅撐不住 Henrik 的體重，裂開了。
Strong metal beams support the ceiling of the underground car park.
堅固的金屬樑支撐著地下停車場的天花板。
Esteban used a thick strap to support his injured wrist during the match.
Esteban 用一條厚繃帶在比賽時支撐受傷的手腕。
- 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
證實
提供證據以證明屬實
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.
醫生最新的研究證實了運動能改善記憶的說法。
research + supports + idea / theory / claim
Tariro found old letters that support her claim about the land ownership.
Tariro 找到了一些舊信件，證實她對土地所有權的主張。
No scientific studies support the theory that this herb cures colds.
沒有任何科學研究證實這種草藥能治療感冒的理論。
The fingerprints on the glass support the police officer's description of events.
玻璃杯上的指紋證實了警方對事發經過的描述。
Hui presented survey data that support her argument during the meeting.
Hui 在會議中提出了調查數據，以證實她的論點。
- 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
支援
容許特定功能或格式運作
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.
這台電腦不支援最新版本的作業系統。
negative: does not support + system / format / device
The new app supports voice commands in five different languages.
這款新應用程式支援五種不同語言的語音指令。
support + function / feature
The hotel Wi-Fi supports up to fifty devices at the same time.
飯店的無線網路可同時支援多達五十部裝置。
Does this office printer support double-sided printing automatically?
這台辦公室印表機支援自動雙面列印嗎？
Sora's phone supports wireless charging, so he does not need any cables.
Sora 的手機支援無線充電，所以他不需要任何傳輸線。
- 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
忍受
承受令人不愉快的事物
to suffer through something unpleasant or difficult without giving up or complaining
Wren could not support the constant noise from the street at night.
Wren 無法忍受夜裡街上持續不斷的噪音。
negative: could not support + unpleasant thing
Kabir supported his roommate's messy habits for a whole year before moving out.
Kabir 忍受了室友一整年的髒亂習慣才搬走。
The mountain villagers supported the long drought with very little water.
山村居民在水量極少的情況下忍受了漫長的乾旱。
How can you support sitting in this tiny office for eight hours every day?
你怎麼忍受每天在這間小辦公室裡坐上八個小時？
- 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
擔任暖場
在表演中擔任配角或開場
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.
一位來自台北的年輕歌手在亞洲巡迴中為那支知名樂團擔任暖場。
support + performer (supporting act)
Before the headliner came on stage, a comedian supported them for thirty minutes.
在主秀上台之前，一位喜劇演員為他們暖場了三十分鐘。
The local jazz group supported the international star at the music festival.
本地爵士樂團在音樂節為那位國際巨星擔任暖場。
Adaeze supported the lead actor in three plays at the National Theatre last season.
Adaeze 上個季度在國家劇院的三部劇中為主角擔任配角。
Several unknown artists supported the pop star during her world tour.
好幾位不知名的藝人在她的世界巡迴演唱會中擔任暖場。
- 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 — 名詞
- supportssingular
- supportsesplural
1. public approval and active encouragement for a person, idea, or group, shown by
支持
對某人或某事的贊同與鼓勵
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.
參議員改善學校的計劃獲得兩黨的廣泛支持。
win + support + from + group
Local residents showed their support for the new library by attending the town meeting.
當地居民出席鎮民大會，表達他們對新圖書館的支持。
The charity relies on the financial support of ordinary people to continue its work.
這家慈善機構依賴一般民眾的金錢支持來繼續運作。
Tara gave her full support to the proposal for safer bike lanes in the city.
Tara 全力支持在市區增設自行車專用道的提案。
The proposal received strong support from community leaders at the public hearing.
這項提案在公聽會上得到社區領袖的大力支持。
- 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
援助；扶持
情感或實際行動上的幫助
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.
Aoi 的父親過世後，她從朋友那裡得到許多情感上的支持。
emotional support — aid during difficult times
The organization offers practical support to families struggling to pay their rent.
該組織為無力繳納房租的家庭提供實際援助。
collocation: practical support
Liam's colleagues showed him tremendous support by covering his shifts at the hospital.
Liam 住院期間，同事們代班支援，展現了極大的扶持。
New parents often need extra support with childcare in the first few months.
新手父母在頭幾個月經常需要育兒方面的額外協助。
- 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
生活費用
維持基本生活的金錢
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.
Valentina 失業後沒有生活來源，只好搬回家裡住。
collocation: means of support
The government provides financial support for low-income families with young children.
政府為育有幼兒的低收入家庭提供生活補助。
Trang's only source of support was a small monthly check from her older sister.
Trang 唯一的經濟來源是姊姊每月寄來的一小筆錢。
Many students rely on their parents for financial support while they are at university.
許多學生在大學期間依靠父母提供生活費用。
- 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
支柱；支撐物
從下方托住重量的結構
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.
這座橋樑倒塌了，因為其中一根主要支柱在暴風雨中斷裂。
collocation: main supports
The wooden shelves need additional supports underneath to hold all the heavy books.
這些木架需要下方加裝額外的支撐物才能承載所有厚重的書。
Workers installed steel supports in the tunnel to keep the ceiling from falling.
工人在隧道中安裝了鋼製支柱以防止天花板掉落。
The old house was held up by temporary wooden supports while the foundation was repaired.
這棟老房子在打地基期間靠臨時的木樁撐住。
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
護具；支架
固定身體部位的穿戴式裝置
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.
Zayd 摔斷手腕後，必須戴上硬式護具長達六週。
wear + a support — medical device
The doctor recommended a knee support for running on hard surfaces.
醫生建議在硬地面上跑步時使用護膝。
Nkechi uses a back support when she lifts heavy boxes at her warehouse job.
Nkechi 在倉庫搬重箱時會使用護腰。
Elastic ankle supports are commonly used by basketball players to prevent injuries.
彈性護踝是籃球員常用來預防受傷的裝備。
文法句型
wear + a + [body part] + support
6. facts, data, or information that help to prove that a particular idea, claim, or
證據；佐證
證明某事為真的事實或資料
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.
這位研究員從她收集的資料中找到了支持自己理論的有力證據。
collocation: support for a theory
Élise's argument lacks support because no studies have confirmed her claims.
Élise 的論點缺乏佐證，因為沒有研究證實她的說法。
The lawyer presented documents that offered further support for her client's case.
律師出示了文件，為委託人的案件提供了更進一步的證據。
There is growing support for the view that regular exercise improves mental health.
越來越多的證據支持規律運動能改善心理健康的觀點。
- 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
暖場；開場
在主要表演者之前登台的藝人或樂團
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.
Mei 的樂團明年春天將擔任那位日本流行歌星巡演的暖場。
the support for [headliner] — noun used with 'the'
The concert started at seven with a local support act from Birmingham.
演唱會七點開始，由一個來自伯明罕的當地暖場團開場。
support act — common compound noun
Tunde arrived late and missed the support, walking in just as the main act began.
Tunde 遲到了，錯過了暖場表演，走進場時主秀已經開始。
Esme asked her manager to find her a support slot on the European festival tour.
Esme 請經紀人幫她在歐洲音樂節巡演中爭取到一個暖場時段。
- 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.