A supporting sentence is a sentence that explains, develops, or proves the main idea given in the topic sentence of a paragraph.

What is a supporting sentence?

  • It gives details, reasons, or examples that make the main idea clearer and more convincing.
  • It usually comes after the topic sentence and before any concluding sentence.
  • It stays focused on one main idea instead of starting a new topic.

Simple example

Topic sentence:
“Regular exercise improves mental health.”

Possible supporting sentences:

  • “Studies show that physical activity releases endorphins, which reduce stress and anxiety.”
  • “People who exercise at least three times a week report better sleep and higher energy levels.”

Each of these supporting sentences gives evidence or explanation to help the reader understand and believe the topic sentence.

TL;DR: A supporting sentence is a sentence that adds evidence, explanation, or detail to help the reader better understand and trust the main idea of the paragraph. It supports, rather than changes, the topic.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.