a big help to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big help to" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone or something that has been helpful in completing a task or achieving a goal. Example: My study partner was a big help to me in preparing for my final exam.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"He has been a big help to me.

The New York Times - Sports

"He's a big help to our team," Bruyneel said.

The New York Times - Sports

"A contribution as generous as this is certainly a big help to us," he said.

The New York Times

That could be a big help to an online shopper seeking clothes in a specific hue.

The New York Times - Tech

"The sale is a big help to Sumitomo Mitsui because it saves time.

The New York Times

But that's unlikely to be a big help to him overall.

The Guardian

The manager trusts his players, which is obviously a big help to the players.

The Guardian - Sport

"Sometimes in life it's a big help to have faith," he admits.

The Guardian - Film

Aron, his charismatic brother and a smooth talker, is a big help to Moses at first.

The New York Times

After you were such a big help to her running away".

The New Yorker

"It will be a big help to the movie if the musical is still running on Broadway, and vice versa".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a big help to", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is receiving the help and the specific area in which the help is being provided for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a big help to" without specifying who or what benefits from the help. For example, instead of saying "The new software was a big help to," specify "The new software was a big help to the marketing team in improving campaign efficiency."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big help to" functions as a predicate adjective, describing someone or something as being significantly helpful. It commonly follows a linking verb such as 'is', 'was', or 'will be'. Ludwig examples showcase this function across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science & Research

2%

Fashion and Textiles

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a big help to" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe something or someone that provides significant assistance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, but also appears in formal business and scientific contexts. While generally appropriate for many situations, more formal synonyms may be preferable in academic or highly professional writing. Remember to specify the beneficiary of the help for clarity. Alternative phrases include ""a significant aid to"" or ""invaluable to"", offering variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant aid to

Replaces "big help" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the importance of the assistance.

was invaluable to

Emphasizes the high value and importance of the help provided, implying it was essential.

a considerable asset to

Shifts the focus to the value and benefit provided by the person or thing.

greatly assisted

Uses a verb-focused construction to highlight the act of helping.

a major contribution to

Highlights the impact and positive effect of the assistance.

provided valuable assistance to

Emphasizes the value and helpfulness of the assistance given.

offered substantial support to

Highlights the act of offering and giving support.

instrumental in assisting

More formal and emphasizes the active role in providing help.

played a key role in supporting

Focuses on the role of supporting someone or something.

was of great service to

More formal and focuses on the act of serving and assisting.

FAQs

How can I use "a big help to" in a sentence?

You can use "a big help to" to describe something or someone that provides significant assistance. For example, "The new volunteer was "a big help to" the organization."

What are some alternatives to "a big help to"?

Alternatives include "a significant aid to", "a considerable asset to", or "invaluable to", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it appropriate to use "a big help to" in formal writing?

While "a big help to" is widely understood, it might be more appropriate to use a more formal alternative like "a significant aid to" or "instrumental in assisting" in academic or professional contexts.

What is the difference between "a big help to" and "helpful for"?

"A big help to" implies a substantial amount of assistance provided directly to someone or something. "Helpful for" is more general and suggests that something is useful or beneficial but doesn't necessarily imply the same level of direct assistance. For example, saying "The guide was "helpful for" understanding the topic" implies it was useful, but "The guide was "a big help to" completing the project" suggests it directly facilitated completion.