needs assistance with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs assistance with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone requires help or support in a specific area or task. Example: "The student needs assistance with understanding the complex math problems."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

While the disease is still in its early stages, he needs assistance with daily living.

The New York Times

The letter adds that Ava needs assistance with mobility and qualifies for the allowance as she is "virtually unable to walk".

The Guardian

Mrs. Kenny, she added, requires help with her daily routines because of her vision problems; Mr. Kenny needs assistance with his medications.

The New York Times

A state law passed in 2010 permits temporary medical dwellings on a resident's property, as long as a physician verifies that the patient needs assistance with at least two daily functions — like bathing, eating and dressing — and the unit is removed when there is no longer a need for it (so the pods don't turn into rental properties).

The New York Times

If you have a parent or other elderly relative who needs assistance with daily life, take another look at the rules.

Forbes

Now think outside what you know to know your community needs assistance with in particular.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Owing to unclear routines, the HC assistants felt unsupported when they needed assistance with the patient.

BMC Nursing

She clearly needed assistance with her chores.

The New York Times

By February 2011 he was struggling financially and needed assistance with his rent and council tax arrears.

The Guardian - Money

Many people with serious mental illnesses need assistance with job training and housing as critical parts of their recovery.

The Guardian - Opinion

Based on social and economic factors, four cities -- Blacksburg, Farmville, Richmond and Virginia Beach -- were identified as needing assistance with their enforcement programs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needs assistance with", specify the area where help is required to provide clarity. For example, "The patient needs assistance with daily living activities."

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "needs assistance". Always clarify the specific task or area where assistance is required to ensure effective communication and targeted support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs assistance with" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a person or thing requires help or support in a specific area. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is commonly used to express the necessity of aid for various tasks or situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "needs assistance with" is a grammatically sound way to indicate that someone requires help in a specific area. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, it appears frequently in News & Media and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. It's important to follow best practices by clearly specifying the area where assistance is required to avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like "requires help with" for more formal tones, or "could use some help with" for less urgent situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requires help with

Emphasizes a formal necessity for aid.

needs support for

Highlights the need for backing or encouragement.

could use some help with

Suggests a less urgent or critical need.

would benefit from assistance with

Focuses on the positive impact of receiving help.

is struggling with

Indicates difficulty and a consequent need for aid.

is having difficulty with

Similar to 'is struggling with', but slightly more descriptive.

is finding it hard to

Emphasizes the subjective experience of difficulty.

cannot manage without help with

Stresses the indispensability of assistance.

is dependent on assistance for

Highlights reliance on external support.

relies on others for help with

Focuses on the reliance on external sources of support.

FAQs

What does "needs assistance with" mean?

It indicates that someone requires help or support in a specific area or task. It implies a lack of ability or resources to complete something independently.

What are some alternatives to "needs assistance with"?

You can use alternatives like "requires help with", "needs support for", or "could use some help with" depending on the context.

How do I use "needs assistance with" in a sentence?

Use it to specify the area where help is required. For example, "The elderly gentleman needs assistance with his medication" or "The student needs assistance with understanding the complex math problems."

Is it better to say "needs assistance with" or "needs help with"?

"Needs assistance with" is slightly more formal than "needs help with". The choice depends on the context; "needs assistance with" is suitable for professional or formal settings, while "needs help with" is fine for informal situations.