helps to help

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "helps to help" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or redundant.
It could be used in contexts where you want to emphasize the act of assisting in order to provide further assistance, but it is generally better to rephrase for clarity. Example: "This program helps to help those in need by providing essential resources."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Rotating the crops helps to help control pests and improve soil structure and fertility: each works the soil differently.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Use nothing but books, internet, paper and non-living helps to help you make dinner.They should not notice this.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Probably all those things are needed in equal measure if the Balkans are ever to be helped to help themselves.

The Economist

"We're going to do everything in our power to help, to help the families and give them our support".

The Guardian

But you need help to help yourself.

Huffington Post

Which tactics have been most successful in helping to help a man get healthier?

Huffington Post

This will help to help keep the soil cool and moist.

WikiHow

I think it's a duty and a responsibility if people ask for help, to help".

The Guardian

Welfare systems work only if there is shared responsibility the state to provide help, the citizens to use that help to help themselves.

The Economist

So they've decided to find outside help to help manage all their projects.

Huffington Post

This is where we need your help, to help us track the beef.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and conciseness, rephrase sentences using "help" to avoid redundancy. For example, instead of "helps to help", use "provides assistance".

Common error

Avoid using "help" multiple times in a single phrase. It can make your writing sound repetitive and awkward. Instead, vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "aid", "assist", or "support".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "helps to help" functions as a verbal phrase that aims to describe an action of providing assistance. However, Ludwig AI indicates it's often redundant and can be improved for clarity. The function intends to convey support or aid, but the repetition weakens its impact.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "helps to help" is sometimes used to emphasize assistance, Ludwig AI suggests it is generally grammatically awkward and redundant. Clearer and more concise alternatives like "aids in assisting" or "provides support" are often preferred. Usage contexts range from news media to informal writing, but it's less common in formal or academic settings. When writing, it's best to avoid repetition and opt for more direct and varied vocabulary to convey the intended meaning effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provides support

Offers a straightforward and common alternative.

gives assistance

A simple and direct substitution for "helps".

aids in assisting

Replaces one "help" with "assist" for a more varied vocabulary.

assists in aiding

Swaps the order and uses synonyms for "help".

aids to assist

A slightly more concise alternative, maintaining the core meaning.

facilitates support

Uses more formal terms to convey assistance.

contributes to helping

Focuses on the contribution aspect of helping.

supports in assisting

Highlights on the act of sustaining the assistence.

lends assistance

Employs a more formal and sophisticated vocabulary.

is instrumental in aiding

Highlights the importance of the assistance provided.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "aids in assisting", "provides support", or "facilitates support" depending on the context.

Is "helps to help" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "helps to help" is considered grammatically awkward and somewhat redundant. It's better to use clearer and more concise alternatives.

How can I improve a sentence that uses "helps to help"?

Rephrase the sentence to use a single verb that conveys the meaning of assistance. For example, change "This helps to help them succeed" to "This assists them in succeeding".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "helps to help"?

While not generally recommended, "helps to help" might be used when emphasizing the act of providing initial assistance to enable further assistance. However, clearer alternatives are almost always preferable.