be of helping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be of helping" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely intended to convey the idea of providing assistance, but the phrasing is awkward and not commonly used. Example: "I hope to be of help during this project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

My earliest memory might be of helping my mother close a pasture gate on a farm nearby the house I grew up in.

The New Yorker

By Stacey Mickelbart June 22, 2011 My earliest memory might be of helping my mother close a pasture gate on a farm nearby the house I grew up in.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

They could be of help.

The Economist

Enthusiastic, eager to be of help".

The New York Times - Arts

The following article could be of help.

Harvard University

Perhaps, the USA and UN can be of help.

University of California, Berkeley

To improve this situation, new biomaterials may be of help.

Acta Biomaterialia

"Further therapy is unlikely to be of help".

The New Yorker

But it is there and it can be of help".

The New York Times

Cheers to @HunterFelt #Heatforthewin June 21 , 2013Glad to be of help.

The Guardian - Sport

Perhaps I may be of help to you.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be helpful" or "be of help" instead of "be of helping" for correct grammar and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using the gerund form "helping" after "be of". The correct structure is "be of help" or using an adjective like "helpful".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be of helping" is intended to function as a verbal phrase expressing the idea of providing assistance. However, it is grammatically incorrect, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, and should be avoided in formal writing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "be of helping" aims to express assistance, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI flags it as non-standard, advising alternatives like "be helpful" or "be of help". Predominantly found in News & Media sources, the phrase should be replaced with grammatically sound options for clear communication. Choosing correct alternatives boosts the quality of writing and prevents confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be helpful

This is a more direct and grammatically sound way to express the ability to provide assistance.

be of assistance

A more formal and polite way to offer help.

provide assistance

Focuses on the action of giving help rather than a state of being.

lend a hand

An idiomatic expression indicating willingness to help.

be beneficial

Shifts the focus to the positive outcome of the help provided.

be useful

Indicates the capacity to serve a purpose or provide aid.

be of service

A formal way to offer help, often used in customer service contexts.

contribute to

Emphasizes the act of adding to a positive outcome.

play a part in

Suggests involvement in achieving a particular goal.

be instrumental in

Highlights the crucial role of something in achieving a desired result.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "be of helping"?

The correct phrasing is to use "be of help" or simply "be helpful". The form "be of helping" is not standard English.

When should I use "be of help"?

Use "be of help" when you want to offer assistance or indicate that something can provide aid. For example, "I hope this information will be of help to you."

Are there more formal alternatives to "be of helping"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "be of assistance" or "provide assistance" for a more formal tone.

What is the difference between "be helpful" and "be of help"?

"Be helpful" is a more direct and concise way to say something is useful or provides aid. "Be of help" is slightly more formal, but both are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable.