[Grammar] by supporting vs. in support of

[LQZ]

Where once the union had acquiesced to the prejudices of its English-speaking members by supporting the imposition of an alien tax on immigrant workers, after 1897 the United Mine Workers make a determined effort to enlist Italians and Slavs in its ranks.

Dear teachers,

The quote is taken from my textbook. Now I just want to know whether I can use in support of to substitute for by supporting without changing its meaning, because , to me, they are possibly interchangeable, but I am not sure if there is semantic nuance between them. Could you kindly clarify it to me? Thanks.


LQZ

 

[Raymott]

Dear teachers,

The quote is taken from my textbook. Now I just want to know whether I can use in support of to substitute for by supporting without changing its meaning, because , to me, they are possibly interchangeable, but I am not sure if there is semantic nuance between them. Could you kindly clarify it to me? Thanks.


LQZ

No, they mean different things.
1) The Somali people raised money by supporting piracy.
(Pirates gave them money.)
2) The Somali people raised money in support of piracy.
(They gave the pirates money).