be helpful to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be helpful to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest that someone help or benefit someone else. For example, "I hope that this advice will be helpful to you on your journey".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It might, perhaps, be helpful to farmers.

The Economist

Would this information be helpful to you?

The New York Times

That would be helpful to the dollar.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That cannot be helpful to anybody.

The Guardian - Sport

It'd be helpful to run experiments.

Harvard Business Review

That can only be helpful to consumers.

The New York Times

Be helpful to your teammates and coaches.

Stanford University

"It will not be helpful to anybody," he added.

The New York Times

It would be helpful to have a full explanation".

The Guardian

I think 'Baseball' will be helpful to the game.

The New Yorker

The experience reports can also be helpful to researchers.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be helpful to", consider the specific type of assistance you're describing and choose the verb that best conveys the nuance. For example, use "assist" for formal situations and "lend a hand" for informal ones.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where the recipient of the help is the subject and "be helpful to" is used passively. Instead, focus on the actor providing the help to make the sentence more direct and impactful. For example, instead of saying, "This method will be helpful to researchers", try "Researchers will find this method helpful."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be helpful to" functions as an infinitive phrase that complements a verb, often expressing the potential or intention to provide assistance or benefit. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be helpful to" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express the potential for assistance or benefit. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used and accepted in English writing. While the phrase is appropriate across various contexts, including news, science, and academia, writers should be mindful of choosing more direct verbs for impact or avoiding passive voice constructions. Consider alternatives like "assist", "aid", or "support" to add nuances to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assist

A more formal and direct way of saying help.

aid

Implies providing support, often in a time of need.

benefit

Focuses on the positive outcome or advantage provided.

support

Suggests providing encouragement or resources.

lend a hand to

An idiomatic expression for helping, suggesting a willingness to assist with a task.

give assistance to

A more formal way to express the act of helping.

be of service to

Implies a willingness to assist in a formal or professional capacity.

contribute to

Focuses on playing a part in a larger effort or goal.

do good to

Emphasis on the moral or ethical aspect of helping.

be conducive to

Describes something that creates conditions or an environment that assists someone or something.

FAQs

How can I use "be helpful to" in a sentence?

You can use "be helpful to" to describe the action of providing assistance or benefit to someone or something. For example, "Providing clear instructions can "be helpful to" new users".

What are some alternatives to "be helpful to"?

Alternatives include "assist", "aid", or "support", depending on the context. Each of these emphasizes a different aspect of providing help.

Is it always necessary to use "be helpful to", or can I use a simpler verb?

In many cases, a simpler verb like "help" is sufficient. However, "be helpful to" can add a nuance of intention or potential benefit that a direct verb might not capture.

How does the formality of "be helpful to" compare to other similar phrases?

"Be helpful to" is generally considered neutral in formality. Alternatives like "be of service to" are more formal, while "lend a hand to" is more informal.