aid

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "aid" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used as both a noun and a verb. Example sentence: My parents are providing financial aid for my college education.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Charities and the non-government sector welcomed elements of Bishop's proposals, such as the focus on female involvement and performance benchmarks, but raised concern over the need to ensure benefits from "aid for trade" flowed to the people in greatest need and reduced poverty.

The Guardian

Helen Szoke, chief executive of Oxfam Australia, said her organisation "would have put the reduction of poverty as the first benchmark" in the revamped aid program and was "cautious" about the role of the private sector.

The Guardian

"Australia consensus would have put the University of Western Australia at the forefront of global research efforts to improve the use of aid spending.

The Guardian

"We remain disappointed with the past government and this government with the erosions in the aid budget," she said.

The Guardian

"You encourage democracy over time, with assistance, and aid, the traditional way.

The Economist

There is no love lost between the Farc and the US: Washington put the guerrilla group on its list of terrorist organizations in 1997 and poured billions of dollars of military aid into a campaign to defeat them.

The Guardian

And was probably killed by the authorities for arguing against accepting foreign aid for Senegal.

The Guardian - Film

The Ebola crisis has brutally exposed the "age-old failures" of the humanitarian aid system with the World Health Organisation and governments repeating the mistakes of past public health emergencies, the medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has said.

The Guardian

Most people need help in neighbouring countries and Britain is rightly setting an example in providing aid to the nearly 4 million Syrian refugees in the region.

The Guardian

The one exception was Abbott's remark when he urged Indonesia to "reciprocate" for Australian aid by sparing the lives of Chan and Sukumaran.

The Guardian

"We should not compromise our own interests to the extent of jeopardising the web of civilian and military exchanges that are at the heart of the relationship, or cut our aid program – intended to improve the lives of ordinary Indonesians.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In medical contexts, use "aid" when referring to a device or treatment that helps someone overcome a physical or mental challenge.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "aid", which means help or assistance, with "aide", which refers to an assistant or helper.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "aid" is as a noun, referring to help or support. It can also function as a verb, meaning to assist or help. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the word can be used as both a noun and a verb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "aid" is a versatile term that can function as both a noun and a verb, primarily denoting help or assistance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Its frequency is very common, appearing most often in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific contexts. When using "aid", consider related phrases like "assistance" or "support" for variety. Be mindful of the difference between "aid" and "aide", and leverage this guide to enhance your writing clarity and precision when using the word "aid".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assistance

Formal synonym for "aid", often used in official or professional contexts.

help

General and widely applicable term for providing support.

support

Implies providing resources or encouragement to someone.

relief

Focuses on alleviating suffering or hardship.

succor

Formal and somewhat archaic term for assistance in distress.

financial assistance

Specifically refers to monetary support.

humanitarian assistance

Aid given to alleviate human suffering during emergencies.

intervention

Suggests a more direct and active involvement in a situation.

backing

Implies endorsement and support, often in a political or strategic context.

patronage

Suggests support from someone with power or influence.

FAQs

How to use "aid" in a sentence?

You can use "aid" as a noun, such as in "They provided financial aid to the refugees", or as a verb, such as in "This program aims to aid small businesses".

What can I say instead of "aid"?

You can use alternatives like "assistance", "help", or "support" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "aid" or "aide"?

"Aid" refers to help or assistance, while "aide" refers to an assistant. For example, "The country received significant foreign aid" versus "The president's aide provided crucial information".

What's the difference between "aid" and "assistance"?

"Aid" and "assistance" are largely synonymous, but "assistance" is often considered more formal. Both refer to providing help or support to someone.