Meaning & use
intangible support
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountable
Help that you cannot see or touch, such as emotional encouragement, advice, or trust.
Grammar: Uncountable: say 'intangible support', not 'an intangible support' or 'intangible supports'.
Patterns
- give someone intangible support
- provide intangible support
- rely on intangible support
After the fire, neighbors gave the family intangible support by listening and offering advice.
Managers often provide intangible support through praise and trust rather than money.
She valued the intangible support of her friends more than any gift.
noununcountablebusiness
In business, assistance that does not involve money or physical goods, such as training or mentoring.
Grammar: Uncountable and often used in contrast with 'financial support' or 'material support'.
Patterns
- offer intangible support to someone
- intangible support for a project
The company offered intangible support to the startup, including mentoring and introductions.
Investors sometimes give intangible support by sharing their expertise.
Common combinations
- emotional support
- Emotional support is a common kind of intangible support.
- provide intangible support
- Volunteers provide intangible support by simply being present.
- intangible support network
- A strong intangible support network can help you through hard times.
- give intangible support to someone
- Teachers give intangible support to students by believing in them.
Synonyms and how they differ
- emotional support
- Emotional support focuses on feelings, while intangible support can also include advice or professional guidance.
- moral support
- Moral support means encouragement and approval; intangible support is a broader term that can include knowledge and trust.
Opposites
Word family
- intangible adjective
- Unable to be touched or clearly perceived.
- support noun
- Help or encouragement given to someone.
- supportive adjective
- Giving help and encouragement.
Commonly confused: intangible support or tangible support?
intangible support vs tangible support
Tangible support is help you can see or touch, like money or food; intangible support is help you cannot touch, like advice or kindness.
Practice
Which of these is an example of intangible support?
Choose one answer.
Intangible support cannot be touched or measured, so encouragement and listening fit. Cash, groceries, and a laptop are tangible forms of help.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “intangible support”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.