lend a hand to

USAGE SUMMARY

"lend a hand to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English that means to help, assist, or support someone.
For example, "I'm glad I could lend a hand to the charity drive and help make a difference in my local community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Anyone can lend a hand to virtuous sorts facing opprobrium.

The Guardian

Russia will certainly lend a hand to Uzbekistan".

The New York Times

Other designers in the Gucci stable may also lend a hand to Puma.

The Economist

Thousands of volunteers converged on Sichuan to lend a hand to the rescue.

The Economist

Time and again, they lend a hand to their neighbors and give back to their country.

The Guardian

What I would hope they would do is lend a hand to women".

The Guardian - Opinion

With figures like these, it's only natural that many in Congress want to lend a hand to troubled borrowers.

The New York Times

He is also planning to lend a hand to Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani's bid for United States Senate.

The New York Times

Though no doubt he reviles Goldsmith's racism, he doesn't detest it quite enough to lend a hand to oust him.

The Guardian - Opinion

In that mix, invariably, must be someone willing to lend a hand, to make even a little sacrifice.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Yaalon "will not lend a hand to those trying to delegitimize Israel," Mr. Ofek-Arnon said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lend a hand to", ensure the context clearly indicates who is offering help and who is receiving it to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The volunteers lent a hand to the flood victims."

Common error

Avoid using "lend a hand to" when the required assistance is beyond simple help. For more complex or long-term support, consider alternatives like "provide extensive support to" or "offer comprehensive assistance to."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lend a hand to" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase, indicating the act of offering assistance or support to someone. Ludwig's examples show it's used to describe providing help in various contexts, from disaster relief to personal assistance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

10%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lend a hand to" is a very common and grammatically correct idiomatic phrase used to describe the act of helping or assisting someone. According to Ludwig AI, it is widely accepted and used across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it offers a neutral tone suitable for general communication. While the phrase is versatile, it's important to ensure the context aligns with the scope of assistance being offered. For those seeking alternatives, options like "assist", "help", or "provide support for" can be considered based on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

help

Most basic and general synonym for offering assistance.

give a helping hand to

Slightly more emphatic version of the original phrase.

assist

Direct synonym, implies a more formal or professional setting.

support

A shorter and broader alternative that signifies backing or aid.

aid

A formal and succinct synonym that suggests assistance, especially in difficult situations.

give assistance to

More formal alternative, emphasizing the act of providing aid.

be of assistance to

Formal and polite way of offering help.

provide support for

Emphasizes the act of offering resources or encouragement.

collaborate with

Implies working together on a project or task.

pitch in with

Informal, suggesting a contribution of effort or resources.

FAQs

What does it mean to "lend a hand to" someone?

To "lend a hand to" someone means to help or assist them, often in a practical or tangible way. It implies offering support to make a task easier or to alleviate a burden.

How can I use "lend a hand to" in a sentence?

You can use "lend a hand to" by describing a situation where someone is offering help. For example, "After the storm, neighbors "pitched in with" clearing debris and "helping" those affected."

What are some similar phrases to "lend a hand to"?

Alternatives include "assist", "help", "give assistance to", "provide support for", or "collaborate with". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it more appropriate to say "lend a hand to" or "give a hand to"?

Both "lend a hand to" and "give a hand to" are acceptable and have similar meanings. "Lend a hand to" might be slightly more common, but both are generally well-understood and can be used interchangeably.