extend a helping hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extend a helping hand" is correct and can be used in written English.
You might use it whenever you want to express that someone is providing help or assistance to another person. For example, "Though he was having financial difficulties, her friend was willing to extend a helping hand to her by offering her a loan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

We donate, lend equipment, and extend a helping hand.

The New York Times

Nor were the senators willing to extend a helping hand.

The Guardian - Business

"I appeal to the world community to extend a helping hand," he said.

The New York Times

China "should be ready to extend a helping hand," he writes.

The New York Times

He's also willing to extend a helping hand to Mel Gibson in the making of a film on the pope.

The New York Times

When word spread that "Jacky was back," owners were eager to extend a helping hand, but most of all, they were eager to win.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Our Office of Enrollment and Student Services extends a helping hand to international students.

Columbia University

He commended Afrikaner farmers and white educators who have extended a helping hand to poor blacks.

The New York Times

"The government fosters moral hazard if it extends a helping hand too readily".

The New York Times

He can talk eloquently for hours on the case for extending a helping hand to religious organisations.

The Economist

Extending a helping hand, after all, is one of the great privileges and responsibilities of the presidency.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about collaborative efforts or community support, use "extend a helping hand" to highlight the proactive nature of assistance offered.

Common error

Avoid using "extend a helping hand" in contexts where the assistance is expected to be purely altruistic without any potential for mutual benefit or collaboration. The phrase often implies a sense of shared effort or reciprocal support, even if not immediately apparent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extend a helping hand" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe the act of offering assistance or support to someone in need. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

18%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

8%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extend a helping hand" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe offering assistance or support. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. It conveys compassion and encourages community support. While versatile, it is important to consider the context and ensure the assistance offered is portrayed as proactive and potentially reciprocal. Alternatives include "offer assistance" or ""provide support"" for more formal settings, or "give a hand" for a more casual tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offer assistance

A more formal and direct way of saying "extend a helping hand".

provide support

Focuses on the act of sustaining or bolstering someone, rather than the gesture of offering help.

lend assistance

Similar to "extend a helping hand", but with a slightly more formal tone.

give a hand

A more casual and colloquial way of offering help.

reach out to

Implies making an effort to connect and offer help, especially in difficult situations.

be of service

A formal offer to provide help or assistance.

give a boost

Suggests providing encouragement or momentum to help someone succeed.

offer a shoulder

Specifically refers to providing emotional support and comfort.

do someone a favor

Focuses on performing a specific act of kindness or assistance.

back someone up

Implies providing support or defense in a challenging situation.

FAQs

How can I use "extend a helping hand" in a sentence?

You can use "extend a helping hand" to describe offering assistance or support to someone in need. For example, "The community decided to "extend a helping hand" to the families affected by the disaster."

What is a more formal way to say "extend a helping hand"?

A more formal alternative to "extend a helping hand" is to "offer assistance" or "provide support". These phrases convey a similar meaning in a more professional context.

Is it correct to say "extending a helping hand" instead of "extend a helping hand"?

Yes, "extending a helping hand" and "extend a helping hand" are both grammatically correct. "Extending a helping hand" is the present participle form, often used in continuous tenses, while "extend a helping hand" is the base form, used in the infinitive or imperative mood.

What's the difference between "extend a helping hand" and "lend a helping hand"?

"Extend a helping hand" and "lend a helping hand" are nearly synonymous. The difference is subtle; "extend" suggests reaching out, while "lend" implies a temporary provision of assistance.