helped them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "helped them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an action where someone provided assistance or support to a group of people. Example: "The volunteers helped them by providing food and shelter during the crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I helped them".

The New York Times

Who helped them succeed?

The New York Times

Wouldn't that have helped them?

Independent

Two things helped them grow.

The Economist

That's helped them a lot".

The New York Times - Sports

No white person helped them.

The Economist

I helped them formulate questions".

Independent

Nobody believed or helped  them.

Independent

So I helped them.

The New York Times - Food

" 'Homeland' has helped them," he said.

The New York Times

It really helped them stay afloat".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your context. While "helped them" is generally acceptable, "assisted them" might be more appropriate in formal or professional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "helped them" when a more precise verb could better describe the specific type of assistance offered. For example, instead of "helped them with homework", consider "tutored them in mathematics" to provide a clearer picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "helped them" functions as a verb phrase, where "helped" is the past tense of the verb "help" and "them" is a pronoun acting as the direct object. It indicates that someone or something provided assistance to a group of people. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "helped them" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the act of providing assistance to a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, you can tailor your language to fit the situation, opting for more formal alternatives like "assisted them" in professional settings. To avoid vagueness, consider replacing "helped them" with more specific verbs that accurately depict the type of assistance given. Remember, clarity and precision are key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assisted them

Replaces "helped" with a more formal synonym, maintaining the same core meaning of providing assistance.

aided them

Similar to "assisted", "aided" offers a slightly more direct and concise alternative to "helped".

supported them

Focuses on providing encouragement and resources, rather than direct action, to achieve a goal.

facilitated their progress

Highlights making progress easier, implying a smoother or more efficient outcome than simply "helping".

contributed to their success

Emphasizes the contribution made toward a positive outcome, focusing on the result rather than the act of helping.

gave them a hand

An idiomatic expression that means to assist someone, making it more informal than "helped them".

provided assistance to them

More verbose and formal, explicitly stating the act of providing aid.

lent them a helping hand

Similar to "gave them a hand", but slightly more descriptive and emphasizes the act of offering help.

played a role in their advancement

Highlights the part someone played in furthering their goals, rather than the act of assistance itself.

made it easier for them

Focuses on reducing difficulty, suggesting a subtle or indirect form of support.

FAQs

What are some formal alternatives to "helped them"?

In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "assisted them", "aided them", or "supported them".

How does "helped them" differ from "gave them a hand"?

"Gave them a hand" is an idiomatic expression that's more informal than "helped them". Use "gave them a hand" in casual conversation or writing.

Is "helped them" always the best choice, or are there better options?

While "helped them" is generally correct, a more specific verb may be more descriptive. For instance, instead of saying "helped them move", you could say "assisted them in relocating" to provide a clearer picture of the action.

Can you use "helped them" in a negative context?

Yes, you can use "helped them" in a negative context if the help inadvertently caused a negative outcome or had unintended consequences. For example, "The new regulations inadvertently "helped them" evade taxes".