be of a good help

USAGE SUMMARY

"be of a good help" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe assistance that is provided to someone. For example: "My friend was of a good help when I was stuck on my math homework."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

As anyone who has seen his combative recent television appearances or read his revealing and erratic Twitter feed would know, no Kanye West performance — of any kind — is complete without a good helping of megalomania, and his victory lap at the Bowery Ballroom was no exception.

The New York Times - Arts

And now after several months having the full support of Genii and Gerard Lopez and Eric Lux [co-director of Genii], it's obviously a good help for me.

The New York Times - Sports

Of course, there's a good helping of bass music in the mix with new blood like OWSLA's Snails and Getter, but there's no lack of established artists (Caspa b2b Rusko, Felix Da Housecat, The Gaslamp Killer) that will keep the ground shaking on the festival's well-known PK Sound systems.

Vice

Perhaps this is true, and very impressive if so; perhaps there is a good helping of wish fulfilment, or a united front for the media.

The Guardian - Books

There was a good helping of standard repertory — Beethoven's Ninth, Schubert's "Unfinished," Mozart's "Jupiter," Verdi's Requiem, Tchaikovsky's "Pathetique" — all of it conducted from memory.

Los Angeles Times

Extensive hierarchies, such as SNOMED CT's, can be of good help there.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Fossils can aid with the reconstruction of phylogenies; however, fossil records are often too poor to be of good help.

BioData Mining

These can be of good help.

WikiHow

Having raw carrot or carrot juice can also be of good help.

WikiHow

Practiced Self readers will know that the answer is all of the above, with a good helping of impudence thrown in for good measure.

The New York Times - Books

- Hire and be respectful of good help.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, consider using more common alternatives such as "be very helpful" or "provide valuable assistance" which are more frequently used and readily understood.

Common error

While "be of a good help" is grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural. Opt for more straightforward expressions to maintain a clear and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be of a good help" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, describing the quality of assistance provided. While grammatically correct, Ludwig indicates it's less common than alternatives.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be of a good help" is grammatically correct, yet infrequent in contemporary English. Ludwig suggests that while understandable, it is less common than similar expressions. Consequently, while its use isn't incorrect, opting for alternatives like "be very helpful" or "provide valuable assistance" might enhance clarity and naturalness in your writing. These alternatives maintain the intended meaning while aligning with more common usage patterns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be very helpful

Uses a more common and direct adjective to describe helpfulness.

provide valuable assistance

Emphasizes the provision of aid that is considered valuable.

offer significant support

Highlights the offering of backing or aid that is substantial.

be a great asset

Shifts the focus from providing help to being inherently valuable.

assist competently

Emphasizes skillful and capable assistance.

greatly contribute to

Highlights the act of adding significantly to something.

be instrumental in

Indicates a crucial role in achieving a specific outcome.

be supportive

Focuses on providing encouragement and emotional support.

lend a hand effectively

Uses a more idiomatic expression emphasizing effective help.

be a boon

Positions the subject as a benefit or advantage.

FAQs

How can I use "be of a good help" in a sentence?

You can use "be of a good help" to describe someone or something that provides assistance. For example, "My friend was of a good help when I was moving."

What can I say instead of "be of a good help"?

You can use alternatives like "be very helpful", "provide valuable assistance", or "be a great asset" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be of a good help" or "be a good help"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "be a good help" is generally more common and natural-sounding in contemporary English.

What's the difference between "be of a good help" and "be helpful"?

The phrase "be of a good help" implies that someone or something provides valuable assistance. The term "be helpful" is a more general way of saying something provides assistance.