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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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helped preserving

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "helped preserving" is not correct in standard written English.
It should be "helped to preserve" or "helped preserve" for proper usage. Example: "The organization helped preserve the historical site for future generations."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

While sometimes limiting agricultural intensification, the diversity of the Italian landscape has helped preserving the beauty of the territory and its biological wealth.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

That helped preserve the spontaneity.

News & Media

The New York Times

"This helped preserve them.

News & Media

The New York Times

It was waterlogged, which helped preserve it.

News & Media

The New York Times

And dry desert air helped preserve the rocks from space.

Last year the weather helped melt more ice, while this year the weather helped preserve more ice.

News & Media

The Guardian

Their relatively small size has helped preserve them, so far, as a cohesive group.

News & Media

The New York Times

The bullpen nearly blew Lewis's victory Monday, but Napoli helped preserve it.

But he also acknowledges the unique circumstances that have helped preserve Edgewood.

News & Media

The New York Times

Defensive gems helped preserve it, and the hitters cooperated with 10 runs.

Another column helped preserve city funds for a suicide hot line.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always follow "helped" with either "to preserve" or simply "preserve". For example, "The new law helped to preserve the forest" or "The new law helped preserve the forest" are both correct.

Common error

Avoid using the gerund form (-ing) directly after "helped". It's a common mistake to say "helped preserving", but the correct forms are "helped to preserve" or "helped preserve".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

80%

Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "helped preserving" functions as a verb phrase where "helped" is the auxiliary verb and "preserving" is a gerund. However, it's grammatically incorrect, as noted by Ludwig AI, because "help" should be followed by either the base form of the verb or the infinitive form.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "helped preserving" is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies that "help" should be followed by the base form or the infinitive form of the verb (e.g., "helped preserve" or "helped to preserve"). While sources like The New York Times and Science Magazine appear in the search data, the phrase's incorrect structure suggests caution in its usage. Consider alternatives such as "helped to preserve", "assisted in preserving", or "aided in the preservation of" for clarity and correctness. Despite its occasional appearance, sticking to the grammatically sound options is advisable for formal and professional contexts.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "helped" with the verb "preserve"?

The correct forms are "helped to preserve" or "helped preserve". For example, "The community "helped preserve" the historic building" or "The community "helped to preserve" the historic building" are both grammatically sound.

What are some alternatives to "helped preserving" that I can use in my writing?

Instead of "helped preserving", consider using phrases such as "assisted in preserving", "aided in the preservation of", or "contributed to preserving" for clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Is there a difference in meaning between "helped preserve" and "helped to preserve"?

No, there is no significant difference in meaning between ""helped preserve"" and ""helped to preserve"". Both are grammatically correct and convey the same idea of providing assistance in the act of preservation.

Why is "helped preserving" considered grammatically incorrect?

The verb "help" can be followed by either the base form of the verb (without "to") or the infinitive form (with "to"). The gerund form (-ing) is not typically used directly after "help" in standard English grammar. Using ""helped to preserve"" or ""helped preserve"" adheres to grammatical conventions.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: