assist somebody

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "assist somebody" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when offering help or support to someone in various contexts, such as work, education, or personal matters. Example: "I am here to assist you with your project and provide any resources you may need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Defending his legislation in 2013 and the pressure it would put on doctors, Falconer said in an interview with Pulse magazine: "I think it is very difficult for general practitioners at the moment to assist somebody to take their own life, and it is probably against the law to assist somebody to go to Switzerland.

Independent

"It is probably a crime under the current law to assist somebody to go to a clinic abroad, but, as Debbie has rightly said, nobody is usually prosecuted," the former lord chancellor, Lord Falconer, said.

The Guardian

If you're going in to assist somebody and fire control and you're embedded in an overnight deal, or you're in a rescue operation or whatever, that is not enduring".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He must have assisted somebody, learned that behavior from someone, or been put in some sort of situation that developed that idea.

Huffington Post

Germany: Assisting somebody by providing the means for their suicide is within the law.

The Guardian

And being seasoned enough to know something's not right, they can send somebody to assist us".

The New York Times

It is a criminal offence punishable by 14 years' imprisonment to assist, aid or counsel somebody in relation to taking their own life.

The Guardian

The poor creature was desperate, I could see; she had all the necessary equipment — the tape measure, the pad and pencil — and yet, without somebody to assist her, she was likely to be disqualified.

The New Yorker

So I felt uneasy asking somebody to assist me with sexual activities, too.

Vice

The most recent measure requires every county child welfare agency to assign somebody to assist foster youth with applications for college and vocational school and for financial aid.

Huffington Post

"Somebody who will assist you or your friends with tickets to theater, laundry, dry cleaning, car parking".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "assist somebody", ensure the context clearly indicates the type of assistance being provided. Be specific about the nature of the help to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "assist" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In informal settings, consider using "help" as a more natural alternative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assist somebody" functions as a verb phrase where "assist" is the verb and "somebody" is the direct object. It describes the act of providing aid or support to a person. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and its purpose is to indicate the action of helping another individual.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "assist somebody" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of helping someone. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and notes it is most commonly found in News & Media. While suitable for professional contexts, remember that more informal settings might call for the simpler "help someone". Keep in mind to use "assist somebody" when precision or formality is desired, ensuring clear communication of your intent to aid. Avoid overusing it in casual scenarios where "help" feels more natural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

help someone

This is a more common and general way to say "assist somebody".

aid someone

A more formal synonym for "help someone".

lend a hand to someone

This is an idiomatic expression that conveys the idea of offering help.

give assistance to someone

More formal and emphatic way to say "assist somebody".

support someone

Implies providing various forms of help, not just physical assistance.

be of service to someone

A very formal way to offer help.

back someone up

Suggests providing support or assistance in a challenging situation.

collaborate with someone

Suggests working together to achieve a common goal.

facilitate someone's efforts

Implies making it easier for someone to do something.

guide someone

Indicates leading someone through a process or task.

FAQs

What is a simple substitute for the phrase "assist somebody"?

The most straightforward substitute for "assist somebody" is the phrase "help someone". It's less formal and widely understood.

How does "assist somebody" differ from "help somebody" in terms of formality?

"Assist somebody" is generally considered more formal than "help someone". "Assist" often implies a more professional or official context.

Is it correct to use "assist to" instead of "assist" when offering help to someone?

No, it is not correct. The correct usage is "assist somebody" or "assist someone with something". The preposition "to" is not used after "assist" in this context.

What are some situations where "assist somebody" would be more appropriate than "help somebody"?

"Assist somebody" would be more appropriate in formal settings such as business meetings, legal proceedings, or official correspondence. For casual conversations, "help someone" is generally preferred.