give assistance

USAGE SUMMARY

'give assistance' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this expression to describe providing physical or mental help, guidance, or support to someone. Example: I'm happy to give assistance to anyone who needs it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Four other policemen moved in to give assistance.

The Guardian

"This year, we should not give assistance to African brothers.

The Guardian

"We must give assistance, not ask for it".

The New York Times

The government should train community groups to give assistance to those who need it.

The New York Times

"We will give assistance to small business through tax credits," Mr. Baucus said Wednesday.

The New York Times - Health

The disaster happened as a merchant ship and an Irish naval vessel were approaching to give assistance.

Independent

When Ms. Silvestri absorbed the Katrina catastrophe on the news, she said her impulse was to give assistance.

The New York Times

For long-distance callers struggling to keep up with the frenzy of new area codes, several comprehensive sites give assistance.

The New York Times - Tech

But one of the main things we were able to do was give assistance to young people in the process of coming out.

Independent

Local business owners testified to Mr. Glickberg's promise, saying that executives from Fairway went out of their way to give assistance to other, smaller businesses in Red Hook.

The New York Times

The police give assistance and guidance for the Law Enforcement Explorers, and private groups provide help for Explorer groups in their fields.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "give assistance", specify the type of assistance being provided for clarity. For example, "give financial assistance" or "give technical assistance".

Common error

While "give assistance" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "help" or "lend a hand" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give assistance" functions as a verb phrase, typically serving as the predicate of a clause. According to Ludwig, this expression is correct and can be used in written English to describe providing physical or mental help, guidance, or support to someone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "give assistance" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that signifies the act of providing help or support. According to Ludwig, it is a valid expression suitable for various forms of written English. While highly versatile, it's generally perceived as more formal and professional, frequently appearing in news, scientific, and business contexts. When writing, consider the specific type of assistance being offered for increased clarity. For more informal settings, simpler alternatives like "help" or "lend a hand" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide aid

Replaces "give assistance" with a more concise and direct expression.

render assistance

Uses a more formal verb, "render", to replace "give".

offer support

Focuses on the supportive aspect of helping, rather than the direct act of assisting.

extend help

Replaces "give" with "extend" for a slightly more formal tone.

supply support

Similar to "offer support", but emphasizes the act of providing resources.

lend a hand

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the idea of helping.

be of service

Shifts the focus to being available and ready to assist.

furnish aid

A more formal and less common way to express providing assistance.

help out

An informal phrasal verb expressing assistance.

facilitate

Focuses on making a process easier, which implies providing assistance.

FAQs

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

You can use "give assistance" to describe providing help or support. For example, "The organization aims to give assistance to those affected by the disaster."

What are some alternatives to "give assistance"?

You can use alternatives like "provide aid", "offer support", or "lend a hand" depending on the context.

Is "give assistance" formal or informal?

"Give assistance" is generally considered more formal. In informal contexts, consider using phrases like "help out" or just "help".

What's the difference between "give assistance" and "provide assistance"?

The phrases "give assistance" and "provide assistance" are very similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. "Provide assistance" may sound slightly more formal in some contexts.