helps to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

'helps to understand' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to explain something to someone, and you want to emphasize that the information you are providing will help them comprehend it. For example: "This diagram helps to understand the structure of DNA."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Understanding how spheres relate helps to understand how nature builds".

The New York Times

The process helps to understand these differences.

Harvard Business Review

A brief biology lesson helps to understand this.

The New York Times

So it helps to understand the basic rules of anatomy".

The Guardian

The verbalisation helps to understand and interpret these dimensions.

Applied Acoustics

To understand why, it helps to understand Photoshop's history.

The New York Times - Tech

This helps to understand societal responses as well.

Yale University

This approach helps to understand the melting behavior of polymers forming folded-chain crystals.

Polymer

To start, it helps to understand the basics of home construction.

The New York Times

First, it helps to understand a legitimate transaction involving text messages.

The New York Times

To understand the big idea — the hard one — it helps to understand the special idea first.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When explaining complex topics, use "helps to understand" to introduce foundational concepts. This prepares your audience by signaling that the information is crucial for grasping subsequent details.

Common error

Avoid using "helps to understand" when simpler phrases like "explains" or "shows" suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose in straightforward explanations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "helps to understand" functions as a purpose connector, linking a particular action, concept, or piece of information to the goal of achieving comprehension. It indicates that what precedes or follows the phrase contributes to or facilitates understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound way to introduce something that aids comprehension.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "helps to understand" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that serves as a purpose connector, guiding the audience toward better comprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain contexts, as highlighted in the related phrases section. While quite frequent in Science and News & Media, to improve your writing, avoid overusing it in simple contexts, opting for clearer terms like “explains” or “shows” when suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aids in understanding

This alternative uses "aids" instead of "helps", which provides a slightly more formal tone while maintaining the core meaning of assisting comprehension.

facilitates comprehension

This option is more formal and emphasizes the ease of understanding that something provides.

promotes insight into

This phrase suggests that something not only helps in understanding but also fosters a deeper level of awareness or intuition.

clarifies the understanding of

This alternative emphasizes the act of making something clearer and less ambiguous.

enhances the ability to comprehend

This version highlights the improvement in one's capacity to understand something.

makes it easier to grasp

This is a more informal way of saying something becomes more understandable.

gives insight into

Focuses on providing a deeper understanding of a particular subject or topic.

allows for better comprehension

This phrase emphasizes the permission or possibility of understanding something more fully.

contributes to a better understanding

This alternative suggests that something is one of many factors that lead to improved comprehension.

sheds light on

This idiomatic expression suggests that something reveals or clarifies an aspect of a subject that was previously obscure.

FAQs

How can I use "helps to understand" in a sentence?

You can use "helps to understand" to introduce an explanation or concept that is crucial for comprehending a broader topic. For example, "Understanding the basics of quantum mechanics "helps to understand" quantum computing".

What are some alternatives to "helps to understand"?

Some alternatives include "aids in understanding", "facilitates comprehension", or "promotes insight into", depending on the context.

Is "helps to understand" formal or informal?

"Helps to understand" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "facilitates comprehension" might be preferable in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "helps to understand" and "explains"?

"Helps to understand" suggests that something assists in the process of comprehension, while "explains" implies a more direct and comprehensive clarification. You might say, "This diagram "helps to understand" the process," whereas "The manual explains the process".