support 来自拉丁语 supportare = sub（在下面）+ portare（携带，承担）→ 在下面承担重量。核心义项：① 支持，支援（give support = 给予支持，情感/财务/政策层面）；② 赞成，支持（support a policy / candidate = 支持某政策/候选人）；③ 供养，维持（support a family = 养活一家人）；④ 支撑（物理上：a pillar supporting the roof）；⑤ 名词：支持，支援。区别：support（支持，最通用，可资金/情感/政策）vs. back（支持，强调「站在某人背后」，更口语）vs. encourage（鼓励，激励，精神层面）vs. promote（促进，推动，更强调「主动推广」）。
释义
1
v.支持，支援（情感、资金、政策层面）
The non-profit organisation provides financial and emotional support to families affected by chronic illness.
这家非营利组织为受慢性疾病影响的家庭提供财务和情感支持。
2
v.赞成，支持（观点、政策、候选人）
A majority of respondents supported the introduction of mandatory recycling programmes in urban areas.
大多数受访者支持在城市地区引入强制回收项目。
3
v.供养，维持（家庭、生活）
She works two jobs to support her family while completing her degree part-time.
她做两份工作以养活家人，同时兼读学位。
4
n.支持，支援；支撑（名词）
The project received widespread support from both the government and private sector stakeholders.
该项目获得了政府和私营部门利益相关者的广泛支持。
语感
support = 在下面托——资金托住项目，鼓励托住士气，论据托住论点
支持支援赞成供养支撑
核心搭配：provide / offer support（提供支持）；in support of（支持…，赞成…）；support sb. in doing sth.（支持某人做某事）。议论文写作中：evidence supports the claim that（证据支持该主张）是学术写作核心句型。区别：support（最通用，可 financial / emotional / political support）vs. back（支持，口语，「我站在你背后」）vs. promote（促进，推广，更主动）。
陷阱
⚠️support vs. promote：支持（赞成/资源）vs. 主动推广
The government is actively promoting the use of public transport by expanding networks and subsidising fares.
The international community must support developing nations in their transition to renewable energy sources.
国际社会必须支持发展中国家向可再生能源的过渡。
Many of her colleagues refused to back her proposal, fearing it would disrupt existing workflows.
她的许多同事拒绝支持她的提案，担心会打乱现有工作流程。
写作加分
✨ 加分词
替换：helpagree with
政府政策类议论文社会责任话题
普通
Governments should help people who are in poverty.
政府应该帮助处于贫困中的人。
加分 ✨
Governments have a fundamental obligation to support vulnerable populations through targeted social programmes, ensuring that no one is left without access to basic necessities.
政府有基本义务通过有针对性的社会项目支持弱势群体，确保没有人在缺乏基本生活必需品的情况下被遗忘。
为什么更好：support vulnerable populations 比 help people in poverty 更书面，through targeted social programmes 说明支持方式，ensuring that no one is left... 补充论证目标
常用搭配
provide / offer support提供支持
in support of支持…，为了支持
support sb. in doing sth.支持某人做某事
financial / emotional / political support财务 / 情感 / 政治支持
evidence supports the claim that证据支持该主张
词根
support = sub（在下面）+ port（承担）→ 在下面承担重量 = 支持，支撑
考考你
Q1义项辨析
下面四个句子中，support 的含义与其他三个最不同的是：
A
The study's findings support the hypothesis that early childhood education significantly improves long-term outcomes.
该研究结果支持早期儿童教育显著改善长期成果的假设。
B
The bridge's central structure supports the weight of over ten thousand vehicles every day.
这座桥的中央结构每天支撑着超过一万辆车的重量。
C
More than half the population supported the proposed reform to the healthcare system.
超过一半的人口支持提议的医疗系统改革。
D
International organisations provided emergency support to communities affected by the earthquake.
国际组织向受地震影响的社区提供了紧急支持。
Q2近义选词
选择最恰当的词填空：
The local councillor encouraged residents to ___ the planning application and attend the public consultation in person.
Governments should provide greater support for individuals with mental health conditions, including improving access to professional counselling and reducing the associated social stigma.
关键搭配：provide greater support for individuals with mental health conditions
provide support for（为…提供支持）是议论文政策建议的核心书面表达，including 引出具体措施
接着学
点击进入该词的深度解析
encourage近义鼓励，激励（精神层面支持，比 support 更强调「激发动力」，encourage sb. to do = 鼓励某人做）
undermine反义削弱，破坏（与 support 相对，undermine confidence = 削弱信心）
sustain近义维持，维系（比 support 更强调「长期持续维持」，sustain a relationship = 维系关系）
advocate近义倡导，支持（更强调「公开积极倡导某观点或政策」，advocate for = 倡导）