it helps you understand

USAGE SUMMARY

'it helps you understand' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you need to explain something in detail. For example: "The chart shows how the economy has changed over time; it helps you understand why prices are higher now than they were last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

I think it's very helpful to view your spending history because it helps you understand your patterns.

Forbes

It helps you understand the risks out there".

The New York Times

Of course, it helps you understand those foreign markets.

Harvard Business Review

"It is cathartic in that it helps you understand a little bit what happened".

The New York Times

It helps you understand exponential decay, and all kinds of other, trickier behaviours.

The Guardian

"It helps you understand the role that sports has played in American society".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

It helped you understand that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line.

The Guardian - Music

How does it help you understand the relationship between this article and the previous one?

MIT Technology Review

In some cases an ugly statue, for example may have a wonderfully beautiful story behind it, helping you understand why the in-laws selected it for you, such as being a fertility symbol or a sign of ever-lasting friendship.

WikiHow

It also helps you understand the system of notation.

The New York Times - Arts

"It really helps you understand how a corset shapes your world view — the way you breathe, and eat," McGovern said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it helps you understand" when you want to emphasize that a particular element or action is beneficial for comprehension. For instance, "Breaking down the problem into smaller parts, it helps you understand each component individually."

Common error

Avoid using "it helps you understand" when a simpler phrasing suffices. For example, instead of "This explanation helps you understand the concept", you can say "This explanation clarifies the concept."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it helps you understand" functions as a connector, introducing a clause that explains the benefit or outcome of a preceding action, explanation, or piece of information. Ludwig shows its utility in clarifying complex topics.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it helps you understand" is a frequently used phrase that connects information to its benefit in aiding comprehension. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and well-suited for many contexts, particularly in news, academic writing and general explanations. While alternatives exist for more formal or nuanced situations, this phrase effectively conveys clarity. When using this phrase, ensure it's not redundant and consider more direct phrasing where appropriate. Overall, its high frequency and wide applicability make it a valuable tool for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it aids your understanding

Replaces 'helps' with 'aids', which is a more formal synonym, slightly altering the tone.

it clarifies for you

Focuses on the act of making something clear, rather than generally assisting understanding.

it gives you insight into

Emphasizes providing a deeper, more profound comprehension.

it enables comprehension

Highlights the capability to grasp something, using a more formal tone.

it facilitates your grasp of

Similar to 'enables comprehension' but uses more sophisticated vocabulary.

it makes it easier to grasp

Emphasizes the ease of understanding due to something.

it sheds light on

Implies revealing or clarifying something previously obscure.

it provides a clearer picture

Focuses on visualizing or having a better mental image of something.

it offers a new perspective

Highlights a change in viewpoint that leads to understanding.

it breaks down the complexities

Focuses on simplifying complex information for better understanding.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it helps you understand" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "it aids comprehension", "it facilitates understanding", or "it provides insight into". Each alternative offers a slightly different nuance while maintaining a professional tone.

What are some common synonyms for "understand" in the phrase "it helps you understand"?

Instead of "understand", you could use synonyms like "comprehend", "grasp", "perceive", or "recognize", depending on the specific context. For instance, "it helps you "grasp" the intricacies of the subject matter".

Is there a difference between "it helps you understand" and "it makes you understand"?

"It helps you understand" suggests assistance in the process of understanding, while "it makes you understand" implies a more direct or forceful impact on your understanding. The former is generally more gentle and suggestive, while the latter is more assertive.

When is it better to use "it helped you understand" instead of "it helps you understand"?

Use "it helped you understand" when referring to a past event or action that aided comprehension in the past. Use "it helps you understand" when referring to something that currently aids or generally aids comprehension. For example, "The teacher's explanation "helped you understand" the topic better" versus "This diagram "helps you understand" the process now".