in aid of

USAGE SUMMARY

"in aid of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a particular goal or purpose. For example, "She ran a 5K race in aid of cancer research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I'm doing it in aid of Shelter.

The Guardian

And it's in aid of the environment.

Independent

Contempt Power in Aid of Administrative Power.

Cornell University

(In fact, it's in aid of a play).

The Guardian - Film

It's all in aid of Battersea Dog's Home.

The Guardian - Travel

Sara said, "What's this conference in aid of?

The New Yorker

But not in aid of any particular cause.

The Guardian - Books

All proceeds are in aid of leukaemia research.

The Guardian

(b) relating to contributions in aid of construction, containing par.

Cornell University

The show was in aid of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, MI5 noted.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But we've been hearing that both are raising money again, which could be used in aid of just that.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in aid of" to clearly state the beneficiary or purpose of a fundraising effort or charitable activity. For example, "The concert was held in aid of the local animal shelter."

Common error

Avoid using "in aid of" when you simply mean "to help" in a general sense. This phrase implies a specific, often charitable, goal. For instance, don't say "I studied hard in aid of passing the exam" – instead, use "to pass the exam".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in aid of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the purpose or beneficiary of an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a usable phrase, especially in contexts relating to support or assistance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in aid of" is a common prepositional phrase used to specify the beneficiary or purpose of an action, especially in the context of charitable causes or fundraising events. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various authoritative sources, including news media, academic papers, and business communications. The primary function of "in aid of" is to modify a verb or noun, clarifying the intention behind an activity and highlighting the supportive motivations. While versatile, it is important to use the phrase accurately, ensuring that it aligns with the context and purpose of the statement. Alternatives such as "to support" or "for the benefit of" can provide variety while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in support of

Indicates backing or advocating for a cause, person, or idea.

to help

A simple and direct way of saying to give assistance.

for the benefit of

Highlights that the action is done to advantage a person, group, or cause.

to contribute to

Signifies playing a part in bringing about a result.

to assist

Focuses on facilitating or helping someone to achieve a goal.

to support

Directs towards offering help and advocacy, implying direct assistance.

to benefit

Emphasizes the positive outcome or advantage resulting from an action.

for the purpose of

Emphasizes the intention or objective behind an action.

to promote

Highlights efforts to encourage or popularize something.

to further

Implies advancing or helping something progress.

FAQs

How can I use "in aid of" in a sentence?

Use "in aid of" to specify the beneficiary or purpose of an activity, especially when referring to charitable causes or fundraising efforts. For example, "The proceeds from the art auction will go "in aid of" children's education programs".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "in aid of"?

You can use alternatives like "to support", "to assist", or "for the benefit of" depending on the context. Each of these conveys a similar meaning of providing help or assistance.

Is "in aid of" formal or informal language?

"In aid of" leans towards formal usage and is often found in official announcements, news reports, and academic writing. For more casual contexts, simpler alternatives like "to help" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "in aid of" and "to help"?

While both phrases express assistance, "in aid of" usually implies a specific charitable or fundraising goal. "To help" is a more general term. For example, you might say "I donated money "in aid of" cancer research", but "I offered to help with the groceries".