lending a hand

USAGE SUMMARY

"lending a hand" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it as a way to describe a type of aid or assistance that someone provides. For example, "John offered to lend a hand when I needed help moving into my new house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

A handful of people in the agricultural department, for example, are lending a hand to the fishermen.

The Economist

Brad was just lending a hand.

The Guardian - Opinion

Photograph: Jim Bourg/Reuters 3.56pm GMT Lending a hand.

The Guardian

"There's a difference between lending a hand and being coddled".

The New York Times

Soon her girlfriend, Anne Riordan, was hanging around and lending a hand.

The New York Times - Magazine

One of her longtime friends, Suzanne White, recalls lending a hand on a stone job.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

But the psychological, lending-a-hand side of this business is just as important.

Forbes

One firm explained the process as below: "'Lending a hand doesn't mean they [MNCs] have to give [us] their technology.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The choreographer is also lending a hand to Walter Dundervill's March show at the Chocolate Factory.

The New York Times

He was doing what anyone would do: lending a hand.

The New York Times

They say not to interfere with nature but we're not actively interfering, we're just lending a hand.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract assistance, consider using "providing support" or "offering assistance" as alternatives to "lending a hand".

Common error

Avoid using "lending a hand" when the assistance provided is not practical or tangible. Instead, opt for terms like "providing support" or "offering guidance" for abstract forms of help.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lending a hand" functions as a verb phrase, specifically in the form of a present participle. It indicates an ongoing action of providing assistance. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing various scenarios where help is being offered.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lending a hand" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of providing assistance. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage, particularly in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts. While alternatives like "offering assistance" or "providing support" may suit more formal settings, "lending a hand" effectively conveys practical help. Avoiding its use in abstract contexts ensures clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offering a helping hand

A more descriptive and emphatic way of offering assistance.

extending a helping hand

A more formal way of offering assistance.

offering assistance

Focuses on the act of providing help.

providing support

Highlights the act of giving encouragement or resources.

giving assistance

Emphasizes the act of aiding someone.

helping out

Implies a more casual and informal type of assistance.

pitching in

Suggests a collaborative effort of providing help.

stepping in to help

Implies intervening to provide assistance when needed.

giving a boost

Suggests providing temporary assistance or encouragement.

aiding and abetting

Suggests a more formal or legal context of assistance.

FAQs

How can I use "lending a hand" in a sentence?

You can use "lending a hand" to describe someone offering practical assistance, such as, "He was "lending a hand" with the preparations for the party".

What can I say instead of "lending a hand"?

You can use alternatives like "offering assistance", "providing support", or "helping out" depending on the context.

Is "lending a hand" formal or informal?

"Lending a hand" is generally considered informal but is acceptable in most contexts. For more formal situations, consider using "offering assistance" or "providing support".

What's the difference between "lending a hand" and "giving a boost"?

"Lending a hand" implies providing general assistance, while "giving a boost" suggests providing temporary assistance or encouragement to help someone overcome a specific obstacle.