to eradicate a support

[hhtt21]

I would like to ask you about a phrase best explaining the situation. One of the explanation of it is this sentence: In the early 1980s the military began destroying entire villages in an attempt to eradicate civilian support for Leftist guerillas.

But I have searched a few minutes ago and concluded that eradicate and support do not make much collocation and that there might be a better verb for this situation.

http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/eradicate Thank you.

 

[bhaisahab]

It seems fine to me.

 

[Rover_KE]

What is the source of the quote? The link you provided does not show it, even when I delete 'Thank'.

Your title should not include the word 'a'.

 

[hhtt21]

What is the source of the quote? The link you provided does not show it, even when I delete 'Thank'.

Your title should not include the word 'a'.

I admit somethin is a little strange. First click the link, then there are word offers, click eradicate there again and at last scroll down and see the sentence.

Thank you.

 

[Skrej]

The sentence is fine. Of course there are other verbs that could be substituted, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are better choices.

You seem to remain fixated on the idea that there is only one correct definition for any given word, and that consequently there is only one 'best choice' for any given sentence.

Vocabulary choices are like spices in your food. Clearly there are some combinations that don't work, but there are also many equally flavorful combinations. One person may choose paprika over cumin, but that doesn't meant paprika is better for every cook.

 

[hhtt21]

The sentence is fine. Of course there are other verbs that could be substituted, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are better choices.

You seem to remain fixated on the idea that there is only one correct definition for any given word, and that consequently there is only one 'best choice' for any given sentence.

Vocabulary choices are like spices in your food. Clearly there are some combinations that don't work, but there are also many equally flavorful combinations. One person may choose paprika over cumin, but that doesn't meant paprika is better for every cook.

What could be other fine sentences that convey the intended idea?

Thank you.

 

[emsr2d2]

... wipe out civilian support ...
... destroy civilian support ...
... end civilian support ...

 

[hhtt21]

... wipe out civilian support ...
... destroy civilian support ...
... end civilian support ...

How are these: cut off civilian support, cut down civilian support, stop civilian support ?

Thank you.

 

[emsr2d2]

"Cut off" suggests that the support will still exist but it won't reach the guerillas.
"Cut down" means "reduce" so it changes the meaning of the sentence.
"Stop" is OK though it doesn't feel as forceful as the others.

 

[Skrej]

Here are some others. Not all of them have necessarily the same sense of destructiveness or thoroughness. Some work better than others. Pick your favorite flavor.

abolish civilian support
annihilate civilian support
demolish civilian support
decimate civilian support
do away with civilian support
erase civilian support
expunge civilian support
extinguish civilian support
grind out civilian support
grind down civilian support
obliterate civilian support
purge civilian support
root out civilian support
rub out civilian support
scratch out civilian support
scrub out civilian support
squash civilian support
stamp out civilian support
stomp out civilian support
torpedo civilian support
uproot civilian support
weed out civilian support

 

[Tdol]

What is the source of the quote? The link you provided does not show it, even when I delete 'Thank'.

It works now- the word thank had become part of the URL so it didn't head to the correct page. I have edited it. It's from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.