had the help of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had the help of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone received assistance or support from another person or group in a particular situation. Example: "She had the help of her colleagues to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Albert had the help of the Premonstratensians and Cistercians in forest clearance and drainage of swamps.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mugabe said openly that he had the help of "foreign governments".

The New Yorker

He had the help of a free black seaman who gave him identity papers.

The Guardian - Tech

He had the help of an excellent, committed pair of doctors, his pediatrician and an oral surgeon.

The New York Times

Reminiscing about his own college days, Mr. Clinton said: "I had the help of scholarships, loans and jobs.

The New York Times

Officials may have been most successful in abolishing tenure in Louisiana, where they had the help of a hurricane.

The New York Times

But over Thanksgiving, Mr. Carter also had the help of Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee.

The New York Times

(In London, Elliott told me, the cast had the help of a dialect coach and "three different rabbis").

The New Yorker

He elevates them through a kind of social realist poetry, what John Dos Passos might have written if he had the help of T. S.

The New York Times - Books

But in Providence, we had the help of in-home aides and respite care provided by Medicaid, as well as a close-knit group of friends.

The New York Times

Tunisian authorities believe the attacker, 24-year-old Seifeddine Rezgui, had the help of his housemates who neighbours said led secretive lives.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had the help of", ensure that the context clearly identifies who provided the assistance and how it contributed to the outcome. This provides clarity and strengthens the narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "had the help of" without specifying who provided the assistance. Unclear attribution weakens the impact and credibility of the statement. Instead of saying, "The project had the help of many", specify: "The project "had the help of" several community volunteers and local businesses".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had the help of" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that a subject received assistance or support from someone or something else. It expresses the idea that the subject's action or achievement was facilitated by external aid, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

21%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had the help of" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to indicate assistance or support. As shown by Ludwig, it is common in news, encyclopedias, and less frequent in scientific and formal business contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and suggests related phrases such as "was assisted by" or "received assistance from". When using this phrase, clarity in specifying the source of assistance is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was aided by

Emphasizes the passive receipt of aid, often implying a more formal or official context.

was assisted by

Similar to "was aided by" but slightly more informal.

received assistance from

Focuses on the act of receiving assistance, emphasizing the benefactor's action.

had the benefit of

Emphasizes the advantage gained from the help received.

benefited from the support of

Highlights the positive outcome resulting from the support received.

relied on the support of

Highlights the dependence on external support for success or progress.

obtained assistance from

Focuses on the act of obtaining help, suggesting a proactive approach.

gained assistance through

Specifies the method or channel through which assistance was obtained.

was backed by

Implies strong support or endorsement, often in a competitive or challenging situation.

had access to support from

Indicates that support was available and utilized.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "had the help of" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives such as "was assisted by", "received assistance from", or "benefited from the support of" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "had the help of"?

Yes, "had the help of" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate that someone received assistance or support.

What's the difference between "had the help of" and "was supported by"?

"Had the help of" generally implies direct assistance in completing a task, while "was supported by" can refer to broader encouragement or resources. For example, "She "had the help of" her colleagues to finish the presentation" versus "She was supported by her family during her studies".

Can I use "had the help of" in formal writing?

Yes, "had the help of" can be used in formal writing, but consider using more formal alternatives like "was aided by" or "received assistance from" for a more polished tone.