assistance

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'assistance' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone or something that helps or supports another person or thing. For example: "I am grateful for the assistance that my friend gave me with my project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If you are in distress and would like assistance, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, BeyondBlue on 1300 224 636 or Mensline on 1300 789 978 for support and information.

The Guardian

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

The Economist

Louizou set up the gallery at the age of 22 without any financial assistance.

The Guardian

The prosecution claimed that Mote submitted numerous false claims for parliamentary assistance allowances for payment for work that organisations had carried out on his behalf.

The Guardian

The kidnappings triggered worldwide protests and military assistance from western governments, but 219 girls are still missing.

The Guardian

A 30 April deadline to convert $4.7bn in pledged assistance into specific payment timetables has been missed.

The Guardian

But in the absence of formal medical assistance, this rural community have traditional stories to make sense of what they've been through and what still takes place.

The Guardian

A cross-party report on food banks this month urged the government to protect local welfare assistance after hearing evidence that food bank referrals would increase if it was not reinstated.

The Guardian

International law may provide some assistance: there are assets expropriated in 1915 that can still be traced, and many ruined churches that can be restored and returned.

The Guardian - Books

In order to receive financial assistance, Williams needed to prove that he was an independent student, with no family to pay his bills.

The Guardian - Money

The US has agreed to a package of military assistance for countries in the Arab Gulf, as escalating tensions with Iran serve as an ominous backdrop to their joint summit at the Camp David presidential retreat outside Washington.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "assistance", consider the context to determine if a more specific synonym like "support" or "guidance" would be more appropriate to convey your intended meaning.

Common error

While "assistance" is generally suitable, avoid relying on it excessively in formal writing. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "aid", "support", or "help" for a more nuanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "assistance" is as a noun, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly describes the act of helping or aiding someone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "assistance" functions as a noun denoting help or aid, and Ludwig AI validates its proper usage in written English. While universally applicable, "assistance" finds frequent use in news, business, and academic contexts, often employed in a formal or neutral tone. As observed in the provided examples by Ludwig, "assistance" conveys a wide range of support, from financial aid to military help. For alternative phrasing, consider synonyms like "help", "aid", or "support", while being mindful of the specific context to achieve the desired level of formality and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

help

This is the most direct synonym, implying aid given to someone.

support

Focuses on providing encouragement and resources for someone to succeed.

aid

Suggests a more formal or organized form of help.

guidance

Implies direction and advice, rather than direct action.

service

Highlights the act of providing a benefit or amenity.

benefit

Emphasizes the advantageous outcome received.

relief

Focuses on alleviating distress or difficulty.

backing

Suggests providing endorsement or resources for a cause or person.

facilitation

Implies making a process easier or more accessible.

intervention

Highlights the act of stepping in to prevent harm or improve a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "assistance" in a sentence?

"Assistance" is a noun, so you can use it as the subject or object of a sentence. For example, "We offered our assistance" or "They needed assistance with the project".

What are some synonyms for "assistance"?

Synonyms for "assistance" include "help", "aid", "support", and "guidance", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "assistance" or "help"?

"Assistance" is often perceived as more formal than "help". Choose the word that best suits the tone of your writing or speech.

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

"Assistance" generally refers to providing aid or help, while "support" can encompass both practical help and encouragement or resources to enable someone's success.