help someone out

USAGE SUMMARY

"help someone out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when providing assistance. For example: "I wanted to help my neighbor out so I offered to mow her lawn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

"I always felt I should help someone out," Laurel said.

The New York Times - Sports

There are times you may want to help someone out, but don't really have the time.

Columbia University

I'm glad we have the puppy, and glad we could help someone out, but I'm also sobered by what it means about the times we're living in.

The New Yorker

When you help someone out, often with something very simple – lifts, gardening, phone support – you earn time, and when you need help yourself, you spend time.

The Guardian

"Every so often I'd help someone out with a query that they had, and then they'd be like: 'Thanks – if you're a person or a robot, I don't know'.

Independent

"But that basic concept was really just: 'Oh, look at this, did you know you can by debt for pennies on the dollar and help someone out by getting them out of their own debt?'" It was around five months ago that the Strike Debt group began specifically working towards the Rolling Jubilee project, Hanna said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

"I was helping someone out with a project observing Argentine ants in 2008 when I noticed Asian ants hanging around in the area," said Eleanor Spicer Rice, senior science editor at Verdant Word, who was a doctoral student at North Carolina State University.

The New York Times - Science

It's a great feeling to know you've helped someone out so they can consolidate a debt or call the insurance company to get a bill paid off.

The New York Times

AD: When he's helping someone out, when someone is indicating they're really struggling or not feeling great the humor all but disappears at that point.

Forbes

Helping someone out makes us feel good.

Huffington Post

Hopefully it helps someone out because I keep it positive," he said.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "help someone out", ensure the context clearly indicates the type of assistance being provided. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While common, repeatedly using "help someone out" can make your writing sound monotonous. Vary your language by using synonyms like "assist someone" or "support someone" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "help someone out" functions as a transitive verb phrase, requiring a direct object (the person being helped). It describes the act of providing assistance or support to another individual. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

22%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "help someone out" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb that signifies providing assistance to another person. Ludwig AI confirms this. While it's widely used across various contexts, including news, general writing, and casual conversations, it leans towards the informal side. For more formal writing, synonyms such as "assist someone" or "aid a person" might be more appropriate. Remember to ensure clarity in your writing by specifying the type of assistance offered when using the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assist somebody

Replaces the phrasal verb with a more formal single-word verb.

lend a hand to someone

Uses a more idiomatic expression to convey the act of helping.

support an individual

Focuses on providing backing or aid to a person.

aid a person

Employs a more formal and direct verb to signify assistance.

do someone a favor

Highlights the act as a beneficial deed for another person.

give assistance to someone

Uses a more descriptive phrase to indicate the provision of help.

be of service to someone

Conveys a willingness to assist and provide help.

contribute to someone's well-being

Expands the scope of help to include improving overall welfare.

improve someone's situation

Shifts the focus to the positive outcome of helping.

uplift another person

Highlights the act of lifting someone from a bad situation.

FAQs

How can I use "help someone out" in a sentence?

You can use "help someone out" to describe offering assistance or support to another person. For example, "I decided to "help someone out" by volunteering at the local soup kitchen".

What are some alternatives to "help someone out"?

Alternatives to "help someone out" include "assist somebody", "lend a hand to someone", or "support an individual". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "help someone out" formal or informal?

"Help someone out" is generally considered informal. In more formal settings, you might prefer alternatives like "assist somebody" or "aid a person".

What does it mean to "help someone out"?

To "help someone out" means to provide assistance, support, or a favor to someone in need. It implies an act of kindness or willingness to make someone's situation easier.