help yourself to

USAGE SUMMARY

"help yourself to" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is a polite way of saying that someone is allowed to take or use something. Example sentence: "Help yourself to some cookies if you'd like."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Help yourself to some hummus".

The Guardian - Music

"Please help yourself to your own".

The New Yorker

Help yourself to a slice immediately.

The Guardian - Books

You can help yourself to rats though.

The Guardian

"Help yourself to sugar and milk.

The New Yorker

"Help yourself to some boots," he'd say.

The Guardian - Sport

And help yourself to a soda.

The New York Times

"You can help yourself to anything you like.

The New Yorker

"Help yourself to whatever you can find, Nick.

The New Yorker

You help yourself to iced tea or soft drinks.

The New York Times - Food

Help yourself to a Ferrero Rocher on the way out".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering food or drinks, use "help yourself to" to create a welcoming and generous atmosphere. For instance, "Help yourself to the buffet, there's plenty for everyone."

Common error

While versatile, "help yourself to" might sound too casual in very formal settings. Opt for phrases like "please be seated" or "may I offer you" in highly formal situations to maintain the appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "help yourself to" is as an idiomatic expression used to extend an invitation to someone to take or use something freely. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is used to give permission or encourage someone to take something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

9%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "help yourself to" is a common and versatile idiom used to offer something to someone in a polite and inviting manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely understood. It's typically used in neutral to informal contexts, making it perfect for offering food, drinks, or other resources to guests. While you should be mindful of using it in overly formal settings, it's a great way to create a welcoming environment. Remember to always use "to" after "help yourself". There are also many alternatives like "feel free to take" or "serve yourself" that you can use to express a similar sentiment. The frequency of this expression is high in News & Media and Wiki sources, indicating its widespread usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serve yourself

Emphasizes the act of self-service.

please take some

A polite invitation to take a portion of something.

feel free to take

Replaces "help" with "feel free", emphasizing the lack of obligation.

you're welcome to have

Indicates permission and availability.

take what you want

Directly expresses the freedom to choose and take.

go ahead and grab

More informal, suggesting a casual taking of something.

be my guest to take

A more elaborate and polite invitation.

don't hesitate to grab

Encourages immediate action without reservation.

make yourself at home and take

Extends the invitation to include general comfort and freedom.

it's all yours for the taking

Indicates complete availability and ownership for the purpose of taking.

FAQs

How to use "help yourself to" in a sentence?

You can use "help yourself to" to offer something to someone. For example, "Help yourself to some cookies" or "Help yourself to whatever you like".

What can I say instead of "help yourself to"?

You can use alternatives like "feel free to take", "serve yourself", or "please take some" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "help yourself at the food"?

No, the correct expression is "help yourself to the food". The preposition "to" is essential for the phrase to be grammatically correct and idiomatic.

What's the difference between "help yourself to" and "assist yourself with"?

"Help yourself to" is generally used when offering something tangible like food or drinks. "Assist yourself with" is more often used in the context of tools or resources, implying assistance in completing a task. For example: "Help yourself to the appetizers" versus "Assist yourself with the software to complete the project".