assist someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "assist someone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when offering help or support to another person 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

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Anonymous, New york The admirable desire to assist someone you love does not compel you to forsake your own values.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Suicide Act (1961) in England or Wales (but not Scotland) also makes it illegal to assist someone take their life.

Independent

"This is a courageous man who has been the victim of oppression and, frankly, I think it's incumbent upon every American to assist someone like him," he said.

The New York Times

Given her progressive views on issues of euthanasia and the right to die, will she assist someone to end their life?

The Guardian - Books

The judge threw out the charge of failing to assist someone in danger by not raising the alarm or warning the emergency services after three boys ran into the power transformer, where two of them were electrocuted.

The Guardian

Some offices are so understaffed that they must engage in triage, so that in, say, domestic abuse cases, they will only assist someone seeking a restraining order against a violent partner if that person is in immediate danger of being hurt again.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Until then, it's all about assisting someone else.

The New York Times - Sports

But choosing to die, or even assisting someone who wants to die, is a felony in California.

The Guardian - Opinion

Currently, anyone who assists someone to take their life faces up to 14 years in prison, although no one has yet been prosecuted.

The Guardian

I had no idea at the time that assisting someone to die could result in a prison sentence of 14 years.

Independent

I hope, though, that as my children get older, they will not shy away from assisting someone, as long as they feel the circumstances are right.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "assist someone", specify the type of assistance provided to give clarity and context to your writing. For example, "assist someone with their taxes" or "assist someone in finding a job".

Common error

While "assist" is a perfectly valid word, it can sound overly formal in casual settings. Consider using "help" in informal contexts to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assist someone" functions as a verb phrase, where "assist" is the verb and "someone" is the object. It signifies the act of providing help or support to another person. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "assist someone" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies providing help or support. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability in a variety of written contexts. While more formal than its simpler counterpart "help someone", it is appropriate for professional, news-related, and academic settings. Related phrases include "help somebody" and "aid an individual", offering alternatives depending on the desired level of formality. Remember to use "assist" in professional or official communications, and consider using "help" in more casual scenarios to keep a natural tone. Ludwig's analysis of various sources confirms the widespread and consistent use of the phrase, solidifying its place as a valuable tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

help somebody

This alternative is a more common and informal way of saying "assist someone".

give assistance to someone

This phrase uses a more formal noun form of "assist".

aid an individual

This alternative provides a more formal tone by using "aid" and "individual" instead of "assist" and "someone".

provide help for someone

This alternative uses the more common word "help" instead of "assist".

be of assistance to someone

This is a more formal and polite way to offer help.

lend a hand to someone

This is an idiomatic expression that means to help someone, often with a task or problem.

support an individual

This alternative emphasizes providing resources or encouragement to someone.

do someone a service

This implies performing an act of kindness or assistance for someone.

facilitate someone's efforts

This focuses on making it easier for someone to achieve their goals.

bolster someone's abilities

This focuses on empowering or improving someone else's skill set.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "assist someone"?

You can use alternatives like "help somebody", "aid an individual", or "lend a hand to someone" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "assist someone" or "help someone"?

"Assist someone" is generally considered more formal than "help someone". Use "assist" in professional or official communications, and "help" in more casual settings.

How do I use "assist someone" in a sentence?

You can use "assist someone" by following it with a prepositional phrase that specifies the area of assistance. For example, "I can assist someone with their homework" or "We aim to assist someone in need".

What's the difference between "assist someone" and "support someone"?

While both involve helping, "assist someone" typically refers to providing direct help with a task or problem, while "support someone" often implies providing resources, encouragement, or long-term help.