it helps know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it helps know" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of aiding in understanding or awareness, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "It helps to know the background information before making a decision."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The discovery of biomarkers of the response to drugs is an important task in medical research because it helps know if a drug is effective for a specific patient and how it is metabolized by his organism.

BMC Systems Biology

Every girl is different, some likes simple things others want the finer things in life, it helps know what type of girl it is you are dating, as choosing a gift should be done with much consideration to ensure it pleases and not offend.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

?It helps to know the language,?

Science Magazine

"If you know what your club stands for, it helps you know how to act.

BBC

It helps to know the right people".

The New Yorker

It helps to know the characters.

The New York Times

But it helps to know the tricks.

The New York Times - Tech

It helps to know the layout.

The New York Times - Arts

"It helps to know what to expect.

The New York Times - Sports

It helps to know actors and producers.

The Guardian - Sport

So it helps to know your enemies.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always include "to" after "helps" to create a grammatically correct infinitive phrase. For example, use "it helps to know" instead of "it helps know".

Common error

A common mistake is omitting the "to" after "helps" when you want to express that something facilitates knowledge or understanding. Always remember to use the infinitive form "to know" to ensure grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it helps know" is intended to express that something is beneficial for acquiring knowledge. However, it's grammatically flawed because it omits the infinitive "to". The examples provided by Ludwig show that the intended meaning is to highlight the usefulness of certain information.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it helps know" is grammatically incorrect, as highlighted by Ludwig. The correct form is "it helps to know". Although it appears in various contexts such as news, science, and wikis, its usage is infrequent and generally considered informal. To ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy, it's best to use the corrected phrase or alternatives like "it is helpful to know". Remember to always include "to" to form a correct infinitive phrase. While the intention is often to advise on the benefits of having specific knowledge, grammatical errors can detract from the message's credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it helps to know

Adding "to" creates a grammatically correct infinitive phrase.

it is helpful to know

Adding "is helpful to" clarifies the benefit of knowing something.

knowing it helps

Rephrasing as a gerund phrase emphasizes the act of knowing.

it assists in knowing

Using "assists in knowing" provides a more formal tone.

it facilitates understanding

Focuses on understanding as the result of the helpful element.

familiarity aids in

Shifting the focus to familiarity as the helpful aspect.

awareness contributes to

Highlights how being aware is a contribution.

understanding supports

Emphasizes how understanding provides support.

it's advantageous to know

Using "advantageous" specifies the beneficial nature of knowing something.

being informed is beneficial

Rephrases to highlight the benefit of being informed.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "it helps know"?

The phrase "it helps know" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "it helps "to know"", which uses the infinitive form of the verb.

What does "it helps to know" mean?

The phrase "it helps "to know"" means that having certain knowledge or information is beneficial or advantageous in a particular situation.

What are some alternatives to "it helps to know"?

Alternatives to "it helps "to know"" include "it is helpful "to know"", "it's useful "to know"", or "knowing it helps" depending on the context.

Is "it helps know" grammatically correct, or should I use "it helps to know"?

"It helps know" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "it helps "to know"". The inclusion of "to" creates a proper infinitive verb phrase.