help you

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "help you" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to offer assistance to someone. For example, "Let me know if I can help you with anything."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And we'll help you".

The New York Times

"I will help you".

The New York Times

"I'll help you pack".

The New Yorker

Seriously, God help you".

Independent

Can't help you.

The New York Times

"I can help you".

The New York Times

He can't help you.

The New York Times

God help you, Sean.

Independent

Let me help you!

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

"It'll help you tremendously.

BBC

Those don't help you".

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "help you" when offering direct assistance or support to someone. Tailor your offer to the specific context and needs of the person you're addressing.

Common error

In formal writing, overuse of "help you" can sound too casual. Consider using more formal alternatives like "assist you" or "provide assistance" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "help you" functions as a verb phrase used to offer assistance or support to another person. It is a direct and common way to express a willingness to provide aid, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Reference

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "help you" is a very common and grammatically correct way to offer assistance, according to Ludwig. It functions primarily as a verb phrase with the purpose of providing aid or support. While suitable for most situations, more formal alternatives might be preferable in certain professional or academic contexts. Ludwig AI suggests considering synonyms like "assist you" for increased formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assist you

A more formal and professional way of offering help.

aid you

Similar to 'assist', but can sometimes imply a more significant level of support.

support you

Suggests providing backing or encouragement, not necessarily direct action.

lend you a hand

An idiomatic expression indicating willingness to help with a task.

give you assistance

More verbose, emphasizing the act of providing help.

be of service to you

A very formal and polite way of offering assistance.

offer you my help

Emphasizes the speaker's willingness to provide help.

be there for you

Suggests emotional or moral support, rather than practical assistance.

guide you

Focuses on providing direction or advice.

back you up

Implies providing support in a challenging situation.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "help you" in professional settings?

In professional contexts, you can use alternatives like "assist you", offer support or provide guidance for a more formal tone.

How can I use "help you" in a sentence?

You can use "help you" to offer assistance, such as "Can I help you with that report?" or "Let me know if I can help you in any way."

Is it appropriate to use "help you" in academic writing?

While "help you" is generally acceptable, consider more formal options like "assist" or "support" in academic writing to maintain a professional tone. It depends on the context and target audience.

What's the difference between "help you" and "support you"?

"Help you" typically implies direct assistance or action, while "support you" can encompass broader forms of encouragement, resources, or backing. The best expression depends on whether you are offering tangible help or general support.