help to illustrate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "help to illustrate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something aids in making a concept or idea clearer or more understandable. Example: "The data presented in the report help to illustrate the trends in consumer behavior over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A numerical example will help to illustrate this force.

Encyclopedia Britannica

– but they help to illustrate why dating services have become such big business.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Answering the second area of criticism will help to illustrate this.

The Guardian - Opinion

Conversely a good storyline can really help to illustrate a situation or impart some advice.

The Guardian

Jai Hind!* A numerical example might help to illustrate the difference.

The Economist

Together, they help to illustrate some of the breadth and scope of the Trust's work in 2016.

The Guardian

The actions of Abbey, part of Spanish bank Santander, help to illustrate the different forces at work.

The Guardian - Business

Here are a couple of statistics that help to illustrate it: FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) The Lions have 340 total yards AT HALF....The Packers have 43.

The Guardian - Sport

Short essays introduce each volume (one dedicated to the 50s, the other the 60s), and help to illustrate how both the industry and society evolved over that period in terms of everything from sexism to alcohol consumption.

The Guardian - Books

In "Zac's Haunted House," recognizable characters, so far as they exist at all, serve an ancillary function to patterns and themes; they mostly help to illustrate the claustrophobic logic of the house.

The New Yorker

"Aren't newspapers the source of defamation and anarchy, anyway?" It is hard to overstate the symbolism of that street name, of its endurance in a world capital even now, but perhaps a personal story can help to illustrate it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Choose synonyms based on the specific nuance you want to convey: "assist in clarifying" if understandability is key, or "serve to demonstrate" for a formal presentation of evidence.

Common error

Avoid using "help to illustrate" when the explanation is already straightforward or when introducing irrelevant details. It should genuinely aid understanding, not complicate it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "help to illustrate" functions as a purpose connector, linking a statement to an example or explanation that clarifies it. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct way to introduce supporting information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "help to illustrate" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to introduce examples or explanations that enhance understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, and it is particularly common in scientific and news media contexts. When writing, choose synonyms based on the nuance you intend to convey, and avoid using the phrase when the explanation is already straightforward. By using these tips, you can effectively use "help to illustrate" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aid in demonstrating

Focuses more on the act of showing something clearly.

assist in clarifying

Emphasizes making something easier to understand.

serve to demonstrate

Implies a formal and purposeful showcasing of something.

work to clarify

Highlights the effort involved in making something clear.

contribute to explaining

Focuses on adding to an existing explanation.

be instrumental in showing

Highlights the importance of the role in demonstrating.

shed light on

Uses a metaphorical expression to mean clarifying.

elucidate

A more formal and concise way of saying clarify.

exemplify

Focuses on providing an example.

highlight

Emphasizes drawing attention to a specific point.

FAQs

How can I use "help to illustrate" in a sentence?

You can use "help to illustrate" to introduce an example or explanation that clarifies a point. For instance, "A case study will "help to illustrate" the impact of the new policy."

What are some alternatives to "help to illustrate"?

Alternatives include "aid in demonstrating", "assist in clarifying", or "serve to demonstrate", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is it better to use "helps to illustrate" or "help to illustrate"?

"Help to illustrate" is generally used with plural subjects, while "helps to illustrate" is used with singular subjects. For example, "These examples "help to illustrate" the point," but "This example "helps to illustrate" the point."

What's the difference between "help to illustrate" and "explain"?

"Explain" provides a detailed account of something, while "help to illustrate" provides examples or supplementary information that makes a concept easier to understand. You might "explain" a theory, and then use an experiment to "help to illustrate" it.