kind of helps

USAGE SUMMARY

"kind of helps" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about something that is of some benefit or assistance, but not to the full extent. For example, "Although the advice wasn't great, it kind of helps to know what I can do differently next time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

"But I think interleague play kind of helps with that.

The New York Times - Sports

That kind of helps spin my brain out.

The New York Times - Magazine

I'm working with a guy that kind of helps me as an actor, you know?

The New York Times

"It kind of helps me focus on something else," Ms. La Porte said.

The New York Times

For me, it kind of helps keep it in perspective of what tough times are.

The New York Times - Sports

And I find that that kind of helps me when we're out on walks.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

"So I think that kind of helped".

The New York Times - Sports

"This kind of helped create traffic".

The New York Times

That's kind of helped a lot.

The Guardian - Sport

"He kind of helped start phone solicitation," Mrs. Whitworth said.

The New York Times - Arts

"I always kind of helped out," Mr. Pentecost said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using alternatives like "somewhat assists" or "is of some assistance" to maintain a more professional tone.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "kind of helps" in formal writing or when precision is crucial. Overuse can make your writing sound vague or hesitant. Instead, opt for more specific language that clearly conveys the extent and nature of the assistance provided.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of helps" functions as a qualifier, modifying the verb "helps" to indicate a degree of assistance that is not complete or absolute. It softens the assertion, suggesting a partial or limited benefit. As demonstrated in Ludwig, it is used to express that something is beneficial to some extent.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

24%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "kind of helps" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a moderate level of assistance or benefit. Ludwig AI confirms that it is usable in written English, typically to soften a statement or acknowledge limitations. While versatile, it's more appropriate for neutral or informal contexts than for formal or scientific writing. Alternatives like "somewhat assists" or "is of some assistance" can provide a more professional tone. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, followed by Science and Wiki sources, according to Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly aids

Suggests a minor level of assistance, similar to "kind of helps" but with a more precise connotation.

somewhat assists

Indicates a level of assistance, replacing the informal "kind of" with the more formal "somewhat".

contributes in a small way

Indicates a contribution is made, although it may be minor.

is of some assistance

A more formal way of saying "kind of helps", replacing the colloquial "kind of" with "of some".

offers some help

Directly states the provision of help, removing the hedging present in "kind of helps".

partially alleviates

Highlights the alleviation of a problem, specifying that it is only partial.

lends a hand to some extent

Uses the idiom "lend a hand", adding "to some extent" to qualify the level of aid provided.

provides partial support

Emphasizes the support aspect, specifying that it is not complete or total support.

eases the burden a little

Suggests a slight reduction in difficulty or strain.

is marginally beneficial

Focuses on the benefit provided, highlighting that the effect is small or limited.

FAQs

How can I use "kind of helps" in a sentence?

You can use "kind of helps" to indicate that something offers a degree of assistance but isn't a complete solution. For example, "The extra information "kind of helps" me understand the situation better."

What are some alternatives to "kind of helps"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "somewhat assists", "slightly aids", or "offers some help".

Is it appropriate to use "kind of helps" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "kind of helps" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use more precise and professional alternatives like "is of some assistance" or "provides partial support".

What's the difference between "kind of helps" and "really helps"?

"Kind of helps" indicates a moderate or limited level of assistance, while "really helps" suggests a significant and more impactful level of assistance. The choice depends on the degree of help you want to convey.