come to someone's aid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come to someone's aid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to providing help or assistance to someone in need. Example: "When the child fell off his bike, several bystanders came to his aid to ensure he was okay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Alas, accounts of people finding reasons not to come to someone's aid are just as common as people in need.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

We got to know each other better by issuing orders or coming to someone's aid.

The Guardian - Tech

Being able to do its part in a military alliance and come to someone else's aid would also mean that Japan isn't such a potential risk for partners, thus strengthening regional security relationships.

Vice

Come to Ringo's aid.

WikiHow

Come to people's aid.

WikiHow

Can they add 'help' to someone's signature whistle?" he asks, noting that male dolphins come to each other's aid when battling over females.

Science Magazine

Germany was prepared to come to Austria-Hungary's aid.

The Economist

Two other individuals came to that person's aid, potentially.

Vice

Technology may be coming to NBC's aid.

The Economist

Senator Dianne Feinstein also came to Clinton's aid Friday.

Vice

Scott Podsednik came to Pierzynski's aid and subdued Barrett.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "come to someone's aid", ensure the context clearly indicates the need for assistance and the act of providing it. It emphasizes a direct and responsive action to a specific need.

Common error

Avoid using "come to someone's aid" in situations where the assistance provided is routine or expected. This phrase implies a more pressing need and a direct response to it, not a general helpfulness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come to someone's aid" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating the act of providing assistance to someone in need. This usage is supported by Ludwig, confirming its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "come to someone's aid" is a commonly used and grammatically sound idiom that describes the act of providing assistance to someone in need. As confirmed by Ludwig, its function is straightforward: to express the action of helping someone during a difficult time. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, general discussions, and even more formal settings, maintaining a neutral register. While many alternatives exist, such as "assist someone in need" or "lend a helping hand", the key to effectively using this phrase lies in ensuring that the situation warrants a direct and responsive action. This makes it a versatile and useful expression in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide assistance to someone

Formal and emphasizes the act of giving help.

assist someone in need

More formal and direct; emphasizes the act of assistance.

lend a helping hand

Idiomatic; emphasizes offering assistance.

offer support to someone

Focuses on providing emotional or practical support.

help someone out

More informal; suggests a more general act of helping.

reach out to help someone

Emphasizes the act of proactively offering assistance.

give someone a hand

Informal and implies direct help.

support someone

General term for providing assistance, tangible or intangible.

intervene to help someone

Implies stepping in to assist, often in a conflict.

rescue someone

Implies saving someone from a dangerous situation.

FAQs

What does "come to someone's aid" mean?

The phrase "come to someone's aid" means to provide help or assistance to someone who is in a difficult or dangerous situation. It suggests a responsive action to a need.

What can I say instead of "come to someone's aid"?

You can use alternatives like "assist someone in need", "help someone out", or "lend a helping hand" depending on the context.

Is "come to the aid of someone" the same as "come to someone's aid"?

Yes, "come to the aid of someone" and "come to someone's aid" are largely interchangeable. The former is slightly more formal, while the latter is more common and concise.

How to use "come to someone's aid" in a sentence?

Example: "When the child fell off his bike, several bystanders "came to his aid" to ensure he was okay." This shows a direct response to an immediate need for help.