good helping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "good helping" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used informally to describe a generous or beneficial assistance, but it is not commonly accepted. Example: "She gave me a good helping of advice when I needed it most."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"So many houses are shattered, I will feel good helping out," he said.

The New York Times

It's time to look forward to weeks of wholesome telly including a good helping of innuendo.

Independent

As in all of Mr. Furst's novels, a good helping of lust fuels the narrative's thrust.

The New York Times - Travel

And tax relief in the proposals I just described should be a good helping hand.

The New York Times

We preferred the meaty beef to the rather bland pork, which needed a good helping of chili pepper sauce.

The New York Times

But a good helping of the book's pleasure comes from the cognitive dissonance of the "great" eating, well, the small.

The New Yorker

All very middle-class and old-fashioned, but with a good helping of contemporary swearing and sex.

Independent

Most superhero stories require a good helping of suspension of disbelief, and this one is no different.

The New York Times

People who are drawn to health care want to focus their life's work on something good: helping patients.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

That the restaurant looks good helps.

The New York Times - Style

Cheap imported goods helped.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "good helping", consider your audience and the context. It's generally suitable for informal settings, but more formal situations may benefit from alternatives like "substantial amount" or "significant contribution".

Common error

Avoid using "good helping" in professional or academic writing. Opt for more precise and formal alternatives to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good helping" primarily functions as a modifier and noun phrase, describing the quantity or extent of something. It often acts as a subject complement or object, indicating a generous or sufficient amount, such as "a good helping of innuendo" or "a good helping of potato latkes", as evidenced by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

11%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "good helping" is a commonly used expression to indicate a generous or substantial amount of something. While Ludwig AI deems it acceptable, it notes a slight awkwardness in certain contexts, recommending more formal alternatives like "substantial amount" or "significant contribution" for professional or academic writing. Its prevalence in News & Media suggests a neutral to informal register, while its relative absence in formal contexts highlights its unsuitability for such settings. When you write consider that its use is more than acceptable but eventually consider the register you are using.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generous portion

Emphasizes the quantity aspect of the helping, suggesting a large amount.

valuable support

Highlights the worth and usefulness of the support provided.

considerable assistance

Shifts the focus to the helpful aspect, implying significant aid or support.

substantial amount

Highlights the size or significance of what is being offered.

significant contribution

Emphasizes the importance of the contribution being made.

sizable share

Indicates a considerable portion or part of something.

ample supply

Focuses on the abundance and availability of something.

decent measure

Suggests a fair and adequate amount, often implying satisfaction.

large serving

Specifically refers to food portions, indicating a plentiful amount.

hefty dose

Implies a strong or impactful amount, often used metaphorically.

FAQs

What does "good helping" mean?

The phrase "good helping" generally refers to a generous or substantial amount of something, whether it's food, assistance, or abstract concepts like advice. While acceptable, more formal options are available.

What can I say instead of "good helping"?

You can use alternatives like "generous portion", "substantial amount", or "considerable assistance" depending on the context.

Is "good helping" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "good helping" is considered informal. Ludwig AI notes that it is acceptable but may sound awkward in some contexts.

How can I use "good helping" in a sentence?

You might say, "He gave me a "good helping" of advice," or "She served a "good helping" of mashed potatoes.". Consider whether a more formal phrasing would be more appropriate for your audience.