Side With – Meaning and Examples
Imagine two friends arguing about a topic. When you finally choose one person’s opinion as correct, supporting them over the other, you side with them. This phrasal verb is extremely common and useful for discussing arguments, disagreements, and alliances in daily conversations.
What Does “Side With” Mean?
The phrasal verb “side with” means to support one person or group instead of another, often in a disagreement or conflict. It means you are taking their side or agreeing with their position. Think of it like a battlefield where you join one army—you are choosing to fight on their side with them.
When to Use It
You can use side with in any situation involving a choice between two or more conflicting positions.
- Arguments: In a debate, a judge might side with the lawyers who presented the strongest evidence.
- Family: A parent may refuse to side with one child against another in a dispute.
- Work: Employees often worry about managers who consistently side with their favorite staff members.
This phrase is informal and widely used in personal and professional contexts.
Example Sentences
- I chose to side with the union during the negotiations over salaries.
- Even though he is my best friend, I can’t side with him on this terrible idea.
- The public opinion poll showed that most people sided with the opposition party.
- The boss decided to side with the customer and offered them a full refund.
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “The whole team is fighting over which software to use.”
Jamie: “That’s tough. Which option are you planning to side with?”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not use “side with” when talking about physically standing next to someone. It is only for disagreements or positions.
❌ Don’t: “I will side with you at the front of the line.” (This is incorrect. Use “stand beside” or “join.”)
✅ Do: “My colleagues quickly sided with the new proposal because it made work easier.” (This means they supported the new proposal.)
Practice Tip
Think of a public debate or current event. Write one sentence saying which group or idea you would side with and why.
Final Note
Using side with makes it clear where your allegiance lies in a disagreement. Practice using this phrase the next time you discuss an argument or choice!