can be assisting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be assisting" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as "assisting" should be replaced with "assisted" or "helping" depending on the context. Example: "The new software can be assisting users in completing their tasks more efficiently."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This can be assisting them to apply for identification, residency permits, or applying for a work permit through the employer.

The Guardian

So he needs to share his pain or sorrow with a friend who can be assisting, can be supporting him or her.

BMJ Open

P5, 50 59yo Bangladeshi Muslim man, tertiary education, focus group So he needs to share his pain or sorrow with a friend who can be assisting, can be supporting him or her.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Candidates are accompanied to their interviews so that they can be assisted to display their best side.

The Guardian - Business

The NEC say visually impaired voters can be assisted by a trusted person of their choice as outlined in the Public Elections Act 2012.

The Guardian

It is stunningly vulnerable; it does not control parts of the country from which it can operate or where it can be assisted.

The New York Times

We may all have to eat some humble pie, but it will be well worth it if a shattered population can be assisted to remain in its homeland.

Independent

If dealers can be assisted in spotting local shifts in demand more quickly, it contends, they can order the right cars in advance and have them ready when the customer comes in the door.

The New York Times

The process ends once the panel is satisfied that the person is no longer a risk, an outcome the anonymous mentor says can be assisted by that person growing up.

The Guardian

Are we dealing with a temporary confidence drop that can be assisted by discounting over Christmas and a small VAT cut – or are we seeing more fundamental change that needs a different approach to help the recovery?

The Guardian - Opinion

We should offer £750m for social care, so that more people can be assisted in their own homes and fewer hospital beds need be used for the infirm elderly not in need of immediate hospital treatment.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to express that someone or something is currently in the process of helping, opt for the phrasing "can be helping" or "is assisting" instead of "can be assisting" for grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "can be assisting" when you mean to say that someone or something is able to help. Use "can assist" or "can be assisted" to maintain grammatical accuracy. "Can be assisting" sounds awkward and is not standard English.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be assisting" attempts to express an ongoing action that someone or something is capable of performing. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically incorrect. The correct form would typically be "can assist", "can be assisted", or "can be helping".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be assisting" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. Ludwig AI recommends using alternatives such as "can assist", "can be assisted", or "can be helping" depending on the intended meaning. Although examples exist, the usage is rare and spans across science, news, and formal contexts. It's best to avoid this phrase to maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy in your writing. The authoritative sources are The Guardian and BMJ Open.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be helping

Replaces "assisting" with "helping", a more common and grammatically sound alternative.

can assist

Uses the base verb "assist" instead of the continuous form, correcting the grammatical issue.

can be aided

Uses the passive voice with "aided", which is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning.

may be assisting

Replaces "can" with "may", indicating possibility rather than ability, while still using the continuous "assisting".

could be assisting

Replaces "can" with "could", suggesting a conditional or hypothetical assistance.

is able to assist

Emphasizes the ability to assist using a different phrasing.

are able to help

Uses "are" to agree in number and "help" as the verb instead of assist.

is capable of assisting

Highlights capability, offering a formal tone and a slightly different focus.

might be of assistance

Uses a more formal and indirect way to offer assistance.

can lend a hand

Replaces "assisting" with the idiomatic expression "lend a hand", indicating help.

FAQs

What's a grammatically correct alternative to "can be assisting"?

Use "can assist" or "can be assisted" instead. These options are grammatically sound and convey the intended meaning clearly.

Is "can be assisting" ever correct?

In most contexts, "can be assisting" is grammatically incorrect. "Can be helping" is a more appropriate continuous form.

How to use "assist" correctly in a sentence?

Use "assist" as a base verb (e.g., "I can assist you") or in the passive form (e.g., "You can be assisted"). Avoid using "can be assisting".

What's the difference between "can assist" and "can be assisted"?

"Can assist" implies the ability to help someone, while "can be assisted" means someone is able to receive help. The first one is active, the second one is passive.