assist
B2Formal and informal. Common in business, sports, and everyday help contexts. More formal than 'help'.
Definition
Meaning
to help someone or make something easier for them to do
In sports, to pass the ball or puck to a teammate in a way that leads directly to a score. In formal contexts, to be present at a ceremony or event in a supportive role.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically implies secondary, supportive action rather than primary responsibility. Often collocates with 'in' or 'with' a task. Can imply expertise or official capacity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In sports (especially football/soccer), 'assist' as a countable noun (e.g., 'He got two assists') is more recent and prominent in American English. British English traditionally used 'made/created a goal' but now adopts 'assist'. In business, 'assist' is slightly more formal in BrE; 'help' is more common for informal aid.
Connotations
In AmE, stronger association with sports statistics and formal customer service (e.g., 'Can I assist you?'). In BrE, retains slightly more formal, official connotation outside of sports.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in AmE, especially in sports journalism and retail/service contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
assist somebodyassist with somethingassist in doing somethingassist in somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “assist at the birth”
- “assist in the capacity of”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in formal offers of help (e.g., 'My team will assist you with the transition') and job titles (e.g., 'Sales Assistant').
Academic
Used in research contexts (e.g., 'The software assists in data analysis') and acknowledgements (e.g., 'I am assisted by a grant from...').
Everyday
Common in offers of help, especially in shops/customer service (e.g., 'Can I assist you?') and helping with tasks (e.g., 'She assisted me with my homework').
Technical
In sports, a recorded statistic for a pass leading to a score. In computing, 'assistive technology' for users with disabilities.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The nurse will assist the surgeon during the operation.
- Could you assist me in filling out this form, please?
- Volunteers assisted with the village clean-up.
American English
- The software assists users in managing their budgets.
- He assisted on the project for six months.
- Can I assist you in finding something today?
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
- N/A
American English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The assistive device made daily tasks easier.
- She works in an assistive technology role.
American English
- Assistive listening systems are available.
- He reviewed the car's assistive parking features.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Can you assist me, please?
- The teacher assists the children.
- He assisted his neighbour with the gardening.
- The guide assisted us in buying tickets.
- The new law is designed to assist small businesses.
- She assisted in organising the conference.
- The diplomat was sent to assist in the peace negotiations.
- Advanced algorithms can assist in diagnosing complex medical conditions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'ASSIST' as having an extra 'S' for 'SUPPORT' – you add your support to help.
Conceptual Metaphor
HELP IS SUPPORT (providing a foundation or supplementary strength). HELP IS ENABLING A JOURNEY (clearing the path).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'assist' as 'ассистировать' in casual contexts; it's too formal/medical. Use 'помогать'. 'Ассистент' is a false friend – it means 'assistant' (person), not 'assist' (action).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'assist to do' (incorrect: *'He assisted to move the table'). Correct: 'He assisted in moving the table' or 'He assisted with moving the table'. Overusing 'assist' when 'help' is more natural in informal speech.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'assist' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Assist' is more formal than 'help' and often implies a secondary, supportive role. 'Help' is the most general and common. 'Aid' is formal and often used in contexts of serious need or official relief (e.g., foreign aid, first aid).
It is followed by 'in doing' or 'with' + noun. 'Assist someone to do' is generally considered incorrect. Correct: 'She assisted me in preparing the report' or 'She assisted me with the report'.
Yes, primarily in sports (e.g., 'He had 10 assists this season') and in formal titles (e.g., 'Teaching Assist'). As a general synonym for 'help', the noun is less common ('He gave me an assist').
Yes, it is slightly more formal and polite, often used in professional customer service settings. 'Help' is perfectly polite but more neutral and common in everyday interactions.