can help to

USAGE SUMMARY

"can help to" is correct and it is often used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone has the potential to help with something. For example: "We need someone who can help to make sure that the project runs smoothly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Now you can help to pick them.

The New Yorker

The Pill can help to counteract this.

The Economist

They can help to heal deep wounds.

The Guardian

Mentors can help to overcome that".

The Guardian

Those sales can help to push prices lower for everyone.

The New York Times

And that other people can help to fill the gaps.

The New York Times

It can help to give your fundraising a seasonal twist.

The Guardian

Gamal can help to bring change, but not as president.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Perhaps we can help to make the public do something.

The Guardian - Sport

This can help to improve next productions.

Journal of Mathematics in Industry

It can help to drive further developments.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can help to", ensure that the sentence clearly indicates what "can help to" achieve or influence. Be specific about the intended outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "can help to" without a clear and specific outcome. Ensure the sentence indicates exactly what positive effect or benefit will arise. For example, instead of saying "This can help to improve things", specify "This can help to improve customer satisfaction".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can help to" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing possibility or potential. It indicates the capacity or ability of something to provide assistance or contribute to a particular outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

43%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can help to" is a common and grammatically sound way to express potential assistance or contribution. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent use. Analysis reveals it primarily functions to suggest solutions or highlight beneficial features, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. Usage is very common, particularly in scientific and news-related content. For alternatives, consider options like "can facilitate" or "may assist with", keeping in mind subtle differences in nuance. When using "can help to", clarity is key; ensure the intended outcome is clearly stated to maximize the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can aid

Similar meaning with the original, with a slightly more formal tone.

can support

Highlights the action of giving help.

can facilitate

Focuses on making a process or task easier.

is able to contribute

Implies having the capacity or skill to contribute.

may assist with

Suggests a possibility of assistance, but with less certainty.

has the potential to

Emphasizes the inherent capability for assistance.

could be instrumental in

Emphasizes a significant role in achieving a specific result.

serves to

Highlights the function or purpose of something.

might contribute towards

Implies a partial contribution to a broader objective.

may be conducive to

Highlights the potential for creating favorable conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "can help to" in a sentence?

Use "can help to" when you want to express that something or someone has the ability or potential to contribute to a positive outcome. For example: "Proper planning "can help to" ensure the project's success."

What are some alternatives to "can help to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "can facilitate", "can support", or "may assist with".

Is it grammatically correct to use "can help to"?

Yes, the phrase "can help to" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English writing and speech.

What's the difference between "can help" and "can help to"?

While both are acceptable, "can help to" often emphasizes the potential or ability to assist more directly. "Can help" is a more concise way to phrase the same concept. For instance, "This "can help to" improve efficiency" versus "This can help improve efficiency".