help
A1Neutral/Universal
Definition
Meaning
To give assistance or support; to make it easier for someone to do something.
Can also mean 'to improve a situation', 'to serve or provide', or 'to prevent/avoid something' (as in 'cannot help'). Also functions as a noun for assistance or support.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Highly polysemous. As a verb, covers both concrete/physical aid and abstract/supportive aid. Noun form often used in service contexts ('help desk', 'customer help'). The imperative 'Help!' is a universal distress call.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK speakers might use 'help out' slightly more informally. In US English, 'help' as a countable noun ('a big help') is very common, less so in UK. No major lexical differences.
Connotations
Similar in both. Can imply temporary need or dependency if overused ('He needs help' can have psychological connotations).
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both. Slightly more common in US corpora, likely due to higher use of phrases like 'Can I help you?' in service contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
help somebody (to) do something (bare infinitive common in US)help (to) do somethinghelp somebody with somethinghelp yourself (to something)cannot help doing somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “so help me God”
- “help a lame dog over a stile”
- “God helps those who help themselves”
- “cannot help but...”
- “help is at hand”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Customer service ('How may I help you?'), teamwork ('I need your help on this project'), software ('help menu').
Academic
In research ('This study will help understand...'), requesting guidance ('I sought help from my supervisor').
Everyday
Most common for requesting/giving physical or informational assistance ('Can you help me carry this?', 'Let me help you find it').
Technical
Documentation ('user help files', 'context-sensitive help'), IT support ('IT help ticket').
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- She was a great help during the move.
- I need some help with my application.
- For further help, consult the manual.
American English
- You've been a huge help, thanks!
- I called for help with my computer.
- Click the 'Help' button in the top corner.
verb
British English
- Could you help me move this table, please?
- This guide should help you to assemble the furniture correctly.
- I couldn't help laughing at the situation.
American English
- Can you help me move this table?
- This guide should help you assemble the furniture.
- I can't help but think there's a better way.
interjection
British English
- Help! I'm stuck!
American English
- Help! Somebody call 911!
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Can you help me? My bag is very heavy.
- Thank you for your help.
- This map helps me find the station.
- The new software helps us work more efficiently.
- I asked my neighbour for help with the gardening.
- He couldn't help feeling disappointed.
- The charity aims to help disadvantaged communities become self-sufficient.
- Her insightful comments were instrumental and proved a great help.
- There's no helping it; we'll have to start over.
- Governments should help facilitate trade agreements that benefit all parties.
- The therapist helped him come to terms with his past.
- The new evidence does little to help their already tenuous case.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HELP = 'H'old 'E'veryone's 'L'oad, 'P'lease. Imagine holding a heavy load for someone.
Conceptual Metaphor
HELP IS SUPPORT (physical metaphor: holding up). HELP IS A TOOL (something you use). HELP IS A RESOURCE (something you give/get).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid overusing 'help to do' in active voice where a simple verb suffices (e.g., 'This medicine helps treat cough' not 'helps to treat').
- Don't confuse 'help yourself' (take freely) with 'behave yourself'.
- The phrase 'I can't help it' means 'I cannot stop myself', not 'I cannot assist'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He helped me for doing my homework.' Correct: 'He helped me (to) do my homework.'
- Incorrect: 'It helps for understanding.' Correct: 'It helps (to) understand.'
- Overusing 'to' infinitive after 'help' in American English (bare infinitive is preferred).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'help' INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are grammatically correct. 'Help someone do' (bare infinitive) is more common in everyday American English, while 'help someone to do' is also standard, especially in British English.
'Help' is more common, general, and can be used in any register. 'Aid' is more formal, often used in official, medical, or humanitarian contexts (e.g., 'first aid', 'foreign aid').
It means 'cannot prevent oneself from' or 'cannot avoid'. It is followed by a gerund (e.g., 'I can't help worrying') or, in a more formal structure, 'cannot help but + infinitive' (e.g., 'I cannot help but worry').
Primarily, no. It is an action verb describing the act of assisting. However, in senses like 'This book helps' or 'It doesn't help', it describes a general function or effect and can have stative qualities, but it is still commonly used in continuous forms when describing an ongoing action of assistance.
Collections
Part of a collection
Common Questions
A1 · 31 words · Question words and phrases for basic communication.
Daily Verbs
A1 · 50 words · Essential action words used in everyday conversation.