getting assistance

USAGE SUMMARY

"getting assistance" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the act of receiving help or support from someone or something. Example: "Mary was struggling with her math homework, so she asked her teacher for assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Women are getting assistance to have a greater role in the workplace".

Independent

Ms. Staciwo said that the committee is researching the possibility of getting assistance.

The New York Times

Then they heard on the radio about evacuation centers in other hard-hit towns, which were getting assistance.

The New York Times

"Getting assistance to the population is more important than elections right now," said Provisional Electoral Council president, Leopold Berlanger.

The Guardian

Mr. Zack said the unions are not concerned about getting assistance from a right-to-work state's pension fund.

The New York Times

A willingness among armed groups and their local supporters to prevent the "enemy" from getting assistance has also been noted.

The Guardian

Ms. Stabenow said savings from the food stamp program would come mainly from changes including banning lottery winners from getting assistance.

The New York Times

"Houses of worship should not be discriminated against and excluded from getting assistance on the same terms as other eligible nonprofits," he said.

The New York Times

They said they are getting assistance from forensics experts and scientific researchers from law enforcement agencies, the intelligence community, university laboratories and private corporations.

The Washington Post

Titled "The Golden Hour", this first film somewhat insistently underlined the medical justification for air ambulances, which is that getting assistance to people inside 60 minutes can make a big difference to their chances.

Independent

"With FEMA expected to run out of disaster funding as soon as Monday, the only path to getting assistance into the hands of American families immediately is for the Senate to approve the House bill," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider more precise synonyms like "obtaining support" or "accessing resources" for increased clarity and impact.

Common error

While "getting assistance" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it repeatedly in formal documents. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "receiving aid" or "obtaining support" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "getting assistance" functions primarily as a noun phrase, specifically a gerund phrase. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it represents the act of receiving help and can serve as the subject or object of a sentence, such as in the example, "Getting assistance to the population is more important than elections right now."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "getting assistance" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that functions as a gerund phrase, representing the act of receiving help or support. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to academic and scientific writing, though more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain situations. The phrase's primary purpose is to convey the action of acquiring aid, often highlighting its importance. While versatile, varying your language with synonyms like "receiving help" or "obtaining support" can enhance the impact and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

receiving help

Focuses on the act of receiving, similar to "getting", but emphasizes the result.

gaining support

Similar to "obtaining support", but can also refer to emotional support.

obtaining support

Highlights the acquisition of support, often implying a more formal or structured process.

acquiring help

Highlights the process of coming to possess help.

seeking aid

Emphasizes the active pursuit of assistance, often in a critical situation.

accessing resources

Focuses on gaining access to necessary resources, which may include assistance.

enlisting help

Implies a deliberate act of recruiting someone to provide assistance.

benefiting from aid

Emphasizes the positive outcome of receiving assistance.

procuring assistance

Formal and emphasizes the act of securing assistance.

availing oneself of help

Formal and emphasizes the active decision to use available assistance.

FAQs

How can I use "getting assistance" in a sentence?

"Getting assistance" is a gerund phrase, so it can function as a noun. For example, "Getting assistance from a tutor significantly improved my grades."

What are some alternatives to "getting assistance"?

You can use alternatives such as "receiving help", "obtaining support", or "seeking aid", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "getting assistance" and "receiving assistance"?

While similar, "getting assistance" emphasizes the process of obtaining help, while "receiving assistance" focuses on the state of having already obtained it. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "getting assistance" versus more formal alternatives?

"Getting assistance" is suitable for general and informal contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "procuring assistance" or "accessing resources" for a more professional tone.