assist in finding

USAGE SUMMARY

'assist in finding' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of providing help or support in searching for something. For example: "The librarian volunteered to assist in finding the book I was looking for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sites like FreebieList.com can assist in finding freebies online.

Independent

"Nauru invites other countries to assist in finding durable resettlement solutions for our refugees," he said.

The Guardian

It is extremely important for these organizations to assist in finding solutions to the MEK situation.

The Guardian

It simply sets up a governmental framework to "encourage dialogue between parents and assist in finding an amicable resolution... ..

The Guardian - Opinion

Some even assist in finding the latest drivers for the various components and peripherals attached to the computer.

The Economist

"The U.N. in many ways has been perceived by the Iraqis as a doctor who can be called in in order to assist in finding proper medicines in order to stabilize the patient," he continued.

The New York Times

Father Divine's reply read: "My dear Mr. C--." Per your letter of the 22nd instant, I wish to advise you that party Mrs. D. whom you request ME to assist in finding does not seem to be in the meeting since no one responds to the name when called.

The New Yorker

In the new operations room that sits alongside the death chamber, there will now be equipment to monitor the offender's heart, blood pressure and blood oxygen levels, as well as an ultra-sound that will assist in finding a vein in which to place the IV.

The Guardian

According to people involved in the case, Merrill has told regulators that it agreed to join the deal only after it received an assurance from Mr. Fastow that Enron -- which was considered the expert in the field -- would assist in finding another buyer if the Marubeni deal fell through.

The New York Times

A continually improved security related network will assist in finding out more about such groups (Security Report, 2013).

Journal of International Humanitarian Action

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Those who advocate outright violence and harm to this country must find, or be assisted in finding, another home in this world.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "assist in finding", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being searched for. For example: "The software can "assist in finding" relevant research papers."

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice when "assist in finding". Instead of saying "Help was provided to assist in finding the missing documents", opt for the more direct "The team assisted in finding the missing documents".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assist in finding" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "assist" acts as the main verb and "in finding" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying the verb. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

34%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "assist in finding" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression indicating support in locating or discovering something. It enjoys broad applicability across diverse contexts, from news and scientific publications to general writing as evidenced by Ludwig. While versatile, maintaining clarity regarding the object of the search is crucial for effective communication. Remember to avoid passive voice constructions for a more direct and impactful phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

help locate

Focuses on the action of locating, omitting the preposition "in".

aid in discovering

Uses "aid" as a synonym for "assist" and "discovering" as a synonym for "finding".

support in locating

Replaces "assist" with "support", emphasizing the supportive role.

facilitate the discovery of

Uses a more formal tone, replacing "assist" with "facilitate" and "finding" with "the discovery of".

contribute to locating

Highlights the contribution made towards locating something.

lend a hand in locating

Offers a more informal, idiomatic alternative.

be instrumental in locating

Emphasizes the key role played in the act of locating.

provide assistance in locating

Uses a more explicit and formal construction.

play a role in locating

Highlights the participation in the process.

be of service in locating

Offers a formal and polite alternative, emphasizing the act of serving someone.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "assist in finding" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "facilitate the discovery of" or "provide assistance in locating".

Is it correct to say "assist to find" instead of "assist in finding"?

No, the correct phrasing is "assist in finding". The preposition "in" is necessary to properly connect "assist" with the gerund "finding". Using "assist to find" is grammatically incorrect.

What's a more casual way to say "assist in finding"?

In informal contexts, you could use phrases like "help locate" or "lend a hand in locating".

What are some common nouns used after the phrase "assist in finding"?

Common nouns following "assist in finding" include "solutions", "ways", "information", and "resources". For example, "We can "assist in finding" solutions to your problems".