assist towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "assist towards" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when referring to helping someone or something in a specific direction or goal, but "assist in" or "assist with" are more standard phrases. Example: "The new program is designed to assist towards improving employee productivity."

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

There are a myriad of ways in which churches and mosques to synagogues and temples can assist towards an ambitious climate agreement.

The Guardian

But if Chelsea needed one sign that they are closer to getting over their blues, it arrived with the sight of Fàbregas floating an assist towards Diego Costa for the striker to finish with a glorious swivelling volley.

The Guardian - Sport

The analysis is focused on the coupling of multicellular systems in biology to the molecular scale, while the final aim consists in designing mathematical structures to assist towards the derivation of models of complex living systems.

Applied Mathematics Letters

"There are a myriad of ways in which churches and mosques to synagogues and temples can assist towards an ambitious climate agreement," said Figueres, citing the fossil fuel divestment campaign as a way they could assist efforts to reach a climate deal.

The Guardian

To assist towards the design, scale-up and optimization of such reactors, a parametric investigation of the relative importance of the angular resolution of the radiation calculations, scattering phase functions of the bubbles, air mass flow rate and the bubble size are investigated by examining the 3D distributions of radiation within the PBR.

Computers and Electronics in Agriculture

Given the situation, recognizing the merit of the measure for government and private corporations to assist towards driving the change of the tax system is important.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

We have called on our colleagues in Israel to play an active role in stopping the immoral, illegal war on Gaza, and assisting towards bringing about a political solution, leading to a just peace and the end of the occupation.

HuffPost

Combining the successful aspects of each will assist progress towards the sustainable management of surf resources.

Ocean & Coastal Management

Once they had eligible grades from collège, family members were there to assist them towards the academic track.

Comparative Migration Studies

As organizations recognize this issue, there is growing demand for strategies to (1) decrease this risk of accidental re-traumatization; and (2) assist clients towards meaningful, long-term trauma recovery.

Johns Hopkins University

This will assist directly towards better understanding of disease pathology.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically correct, consider using more common and direct alternatives like "aid in" or "help with" for clearer communication. These options are generally preferred in contemporary English.

Common error

Avoid relying heavily on "assist towards" in formal documents or professional communications. Its slightly awkward phrasing can detract from the overall impact. Opt for more concise and widely accepted alternatives like "contribute to" or "support in" for a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assist towards" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of helping or contributing to a specific goal or direction. Ludwig shows examples in various contexts, suggesting its usage, although sometimes less common, serves to express support in achieving something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "assist towards" is grammatically acceptable but not the most conventional choice in contemporary English. As Ludwig AI explains, alternatives like "aid in" or "help with" are generally preferred for their clarity and directness. While "assist towards" appears in various contexts, including scientific, news, and formal business settings, its frequency is relatively uncommon. The phrase functions to express support or contribution toward a specific goal, but writers should carefully consider whether simpler alternatives would enhance overall communication and clarity. This analysis suggests that while the phrase is not incorrect, its usage should be deliberate and context-aware, opting for more common alternatives where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aid in

More direct and common alternative, focusing on providing help.

help with

Simple and widely used, indicating assistance with a task.

contribute to

Emphasizes the act of giving or adding to something.

support in

Focuses on providing backing or encouragement.

facilitate progress toward

Highlights making progress easier.

promote advancement of

Suggests actively encouraging forward movement.

play a role in

Indicates involvement or contribution.

lend a hand with

Informal expression for offering assistance.

work toward

Focuses on effort directed towards a goal.

be conducive to

Suggests contributing to a favorable outcome or condition.

FAQs

What is a more common alternative to "assist towards"?

More common alternatives to "assist towards" include "aid in", "help with", or "contribute to".

Is "assist towards" grammatically incorrect?

No, "assist towards" is not strictly grammatically incorrect, but it's considered less common and somewhat awkward compared to alternatives. Ludwig AI, points out it is preferable to use something like "aid in" or "help with".

How can I use "assist towards" in a sentence?

While less common, you could use "assist towards" to indicate helping in a specific direction, although more direct alternatives are generally favored. For example: "The program aims to assist towards a more sustainable future" can be rephrased as "The program aims to aid in a more sustainable future".

When is it appropriate to use "assist towards"?

While usable in certain contexts, "assist towards" may be more appropriate when emphasizing the directional aspect of the assistance. However, evaluate if alternatives such as "help with" or "contribute to" might provide clarity or better flow.