assisting

USAGE SUMMARY

"assisting" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to describe providing help or aid. Example sentence: She was assisting the elderly lady cross the street.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Counsel assisting the commission, Geoffrey Watson, said he had been of the opinion that George had done nothing wrong.

The Guardian

"Sounds like a pretty good loan, doesn't it?" counsel assisting the commission, Geoffrey Watson, SC, said.

The Guardian

Senator Michaelia Cash, assisting the prime minister as minister for women, was also right when she noted in March that "in terms of feminism, I've never been someone who really associates with that movement.

The Guardian - Opinion

Plibersek said many Australian health experts were willing to go to the region to help contain the virus but the government was "not assisting them or facilitating that in any serious way".

The Guardian

"As the Treasurer stated, we have set aside additional money in the budget and we will have more to say in the near future," the minister assisting the prime minister for women, Michaelia Cash, said.

The Guardian

He is urged to be careful by an air hostess who is assisting him in his quest to rescue his daughter from the clutches of a deposed South American dictator.

The Guardian - Film

"In addition, the executing officer or a person assisting is empowered to leave a warrant premise temporarily and subsequently re-enter to continue the execution of the warrant in certain instances where, for example, the occupier returns home and the covert nature of the warrant is at risk.

The Guardian

But being accused of assisting terrorists is not.

The Guardian

There are usually at least two Australians assisting on cases at any one time.

The Guardian

Izama pointed out that the Ugandan military – which the Obama administration legally committed itself to assisting one year after the oil discovery – has been increasing its oil-related security operations.

The Guardian

On Friday, Di Girolamo denied any role in assisting Koelma to make the fraudulent complaint.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "assisting" when you want to convey the idea of providing aid or support in a formal or professional context.

Common error

While "assisting" is a perfectly valid word, avoid using it in very informal situations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "helping" or "lending a hand" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "assisting" is that of a present participle, often used as part of a continuous verb tense or as an adjective. It describes the action of providing help or support. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable word in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "assisting" is a grammatically correct and frequently used present participle that describes the act of providing aid or support. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts but also appears in scientific and formal business settings. While generally neutral to professional in register, it's advisable to use simpler alternatives like "helping" in very informal scenarios. Remember to reserve "assisting" for contexts where a more formal or professional tone is desired. When aiming for clarity and impact in writing, consider this analysis to ensure proper usage and tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

helping

A direct synonym, offering general aid or support.

providing assistance

A more formal way of saying "assisting".

aiding

Suggests more active or crucial help.

supporting

Implies providing backing or encouragement.

facilitating

Focuses on making a process easier.

lending a hand

An informal way to offer assistance.

giving support to

Emphasizes the act of providing support.

being of service

Suggests a formal or professional context.

offering guidance

Focuses on providing direction or advice.

collaborating with

Implies working together on a shared task.

FAQs

How can I use "assisting" in a sentence?

You can use "assisting" to describe the act of providing help or support, for example: "She was "assisting" the doctor during the surgery."

What are some alternatives to the word "assisting"?

Some alternatives to "assisting" include "helping", "aiding", "supporting", and "facilitating".

Is "assisting" formal or informal?

"Assisting" tends to be more formal. In informal contexts, consider using "helping" or "lending a hand" instead.

What's the difference between "assisting" and "helping"?

While both words mean providing aid, "assisting" often implies a more formal or professional setting, while "helping" is more general and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.