help yourself to some

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "help yourself to some" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to invite someone to take or serve themselves from a shared resource, such as food or drinks. Example: "If you're feeling hungry, please help yourself to some snacks in the kitchen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"Help yourself to some hummus".

The Guardian - Music

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

The Guardian - Sport

"Help yourself to some wine if you like".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Why, help yourself to some Versace, Catherine Zeta-Jones.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Blessings, and help yourself to some chard," she writes in closing.

The New York Times - Books

"In the meantime, help yourself to some water and take a seat".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Take a number like everyone else; or help yourself to the 50-some packages of pre-cut delicatessen.

Huffington Post

Help yourself to what you wish, add some sauces and a kefir (yoghurt drink) to wash it down, and pay by weight (not yours – the pelmeni).

Independent

2100 Can't be bothered with supper, help yourself to a bit of that lovely ham and some cold... sorry?

Independent

Help yourself to a slice immediately.

The Guardian - Books

You can help yourself to rats though.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "help yourself to some" when you want to offer something in a relaxed and informal manner. It's particularly suitable for situations where you want guests to feel comfortable serving themselves.

Common error

Avoid using "help yourself to some" in highly formal settings like business meetings or academic presentations. Opt for more formal alternatives like "please take" or "feel free to take".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "help yourself to some" functions as an imperative, specifically an invitation or offer. It's used to encourage someone to take a portion of something available. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Many examples from Ludwig are in an informal context to invite somebody to grab something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Lifestyle

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "help yourself to some" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to offer something in an informal manner. Ludwig AI validates its usage, highlighting examples from various contexts like news, lifestyle, and wikis. It is best used when you want people to feel comfortable serving themselves, but should be avoided in very formal situations where a more elaborate invitation might be more appropriate. Alternatives such as ""please take some"" or ""feel free to take some"" can be used depending on the degree of formality you want to establish.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

please, take some

This alternative is a direct and polite invitation to take something.

feel free to take some

This option emphasizes the freedom and lack of obligation in taking something.

go ahead and grab some

This is a more casual and encouraging invitation.

serve yourself

This alternative directly instructs the person to take what they want.

go for it

This is a shorter, more informal way of saying "help yourself".

take as much as you like

This emphasizes that there is no limit to how much someone can take.

be my guest

This is a polite and welcoming way to offer something.

don't be shy

This encourages someone who might be hesitant to take something.

dig in

This is a more informal way of saying "help yourself", primarily used for food.

do not hesitate to take some

This phrase removes any hesitation from taking something.

FAQs

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

You can use "help yourself to some" to invite someone to take something, for example, "If you're hungry, "help yourself to some" snacks in the kitchen".

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

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

Is "help yourself to some" formal or informal?

"Help yourself to some" is generally considered informal. In formal settings, it's better to use phrases like "please take" or "you are welcome to have".

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

"Help yourself to some" implies taking a portion of something tangible, like food or drinks. "Help yourself with" is more general and can refer to assistance or resources, like "help yourself with the tools in the shed".