helping to develop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "helping to develop" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action which is providing assistance in the progress or creation of something. For example, "The youth program is helping to develop the skills of at-risk teenagers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The software developers working for private companies helping to develop the virus?

BBC

And you're helping to develop his name.

The New York Times

Was he helping to develop nuclear power?

The New York Times - Magazine

I really enjoy discovering and helping to develop talent.

The Guardian

He is now helping to develop a movie script.

The New York Times

Mr. Sinsheimer said his center was helping to develop similar programs in New Jersey and Massachusetts.

The New York Times

It should be helping to develop the sugar-cane industry in Africa.

The New York Times

"If they are helping to develop Afghanistan, that is good," Mr. Saeed said, turning pragmatic.

The New York Times

In the early 1980's, Sony was helping to develop a new digital music technology.

The New York Times - Tech

John, he said, will have a more global role, helping to develop business internationally.

The New York Times

These and other voluntary initiatives are important in helping to develop this changing relationship with alcohol".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "helping to develop", ensure that the subject performing the action is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "The program is helping to develop," specify "The mentors are helping to develop the students' skills."

Common error

Avoid using "helping to develop" when the contribution is minimal or indirect. If the involvement is minor, use phrases like "related to development" or "aware of the development" to more accurately reflect the level of contribution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "helping to develop" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes an action—the act of providing assistance in the process of development. Ludwig AI confirms its common and correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "helping to develop" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe active participation in a process of growth or improvement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this gerund phrase sees frequent use across diverse domains, notably in news, science, and formal business communications. To ensure clarity, specify the subject and avoid overstating contributions. For alternatives, consider "aiding in developing" or "assisting with the development of" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aiding in developing

Replaces "helping" with "aiding" and restructures the prepositional phrase, offering a more formal tone.

assisting with the development of

Substitutes "helping" with "assisting" and uses a more noun-focused construction.

contributing to the growth of

Shifts the focus to "growth" instead of the process of development, implying a direct contribution.

supporting the evolution of

Emphasizes the evolutionary aspect of development, suggesting a more organic process.

fostering the development of

Highlights the act of nurturing or encouraging development, implying a more active role.

facilitating the growth of

Suggests making the growth process easier or smoother.

playing a part in developing

Indicates involvement without specifying the extent of the contribution.

involved in the development of

States a simple involvement, without directly indicating active assistance.

working to advance the development of

Indicates active effort towards progress, adding a sense of proactive engagement.

furthering the expansion of

Focuses on expansion as an aspect of development, suitable when growth in scale is emphasized.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "helping to develop" to sound more formal?

To achieve a more formal tone, you can use alternatives such as "aiding in developing", "assisting with the development of", or "contributing to the growth of", depending on the context.

Is "helping to develop" grammatically correct?

Yes, "helping to develop" is grammatically correct. It uses the gerund "helping" followed by the infinitive "to develop", forming a common and accepted phrase in English.

What is the difference between "helping to develop" and "helps to develop"?

"Helping to develop" is often used in continuous tenses, indicating an ongoing action (e.g., "They are helping to develop new strategies"). "Helps to develop" is used in simple present tense, describing a general capability or function (e.g., "This program helps to develop leadership skills").

In what contexts is "helping to develop" most appropriate?

"Helping to develop" is suitable in various contexts, including business, science, and general communication, where the focus is on actively assisting in the progress or growth of something. According to Ludwig, it is often found in "news media", "scientific", and "formal business" settings.