obtaining assistance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obtaining assistance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of seeking help or support from someone or something. Example: "In times of difficulty, it is important to consider obtaining assistance from professionals who can provide guidance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Mrs. Salcedo has had more success than other security guards' widows in obtaining assistance.

The New York Times

Notices were placed in newspapers notifying victims of the process for obtaining assistance.

The New York Times

One of the big problems that victims face is obtaining assistance from the banks after such incidents.

The Guardian - Money

"Of particular concern will be ensuring that entrepreneurs do not face new hurdles in obtaining assistance in starting, operating or expanding their small businesses — whether accessing capital, pursuing exporting opportunities, or contracting with the federal government".

The New York Times

In a statement on Sunday evening, CIT said it was also pursing the possibility of obtaining assistance from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation through a program that has allowed Goldman Sachs and other banks to issue their debt cheaply with the backing of the agency.

The New York Times

In addition to simplifying the process of obtaining assistance, employment service activities should also present information on local labor market conditions and occupational projections with an eye to how it will be construed by recipients, not just what information it contains.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

In some cases, the participants reported approaching instructors or teaching assistants outside of class to obtain assistance with homework, upcoming or previous exams, and challenging concepts or problems.

International Journal of STEM Education

John Haynes, 44, who lost his job as a chef in the employee cafeteria at Windows on the World, said a $2,500 check would be a welcome change after months of frustrating and often fruitless attempts to obtain assistance from charities.

The New York Times

At a contentious standing-room-only meeting last month at Intermediate School 89, Mr. Gluck vowed that he would obtain assistance for about 68percentt of the 3,000 tenants, who would qualify for federal subsidies known as enhanced vouchers.

The New York Times

Patrick Dorinson, a spokesman for the agency, said the last-resort emergency had been called to obtain assistance from the Western Area Power Administration and the California Department of Water Resources but would not immediately include blackouts for customers.

The New York Times

During the reign of Vladislas' young son Louis, Werbőczi served on several diplomatic missions to obtain assistance against the Turks and in 1525 was elected palatine (imperial governor), a position he was, however, soon forced to resign.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obtaining assistance" when you want to emphasize the active process of seeking and getting support, rather than just receiving it.

Common error

Avoid implying that help is simply given without effort. "Obtaining assistance" emphasizes the active steps taken to seek and acquire support, so ensure your writing reflects this active engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obtaining assistance" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. This usage emphasizes the act of acquiring or receiving help. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obtaining assistance" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the active process of seeking and acquiring help. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely applicable and appropriate for use in various contexts, including news, science, and formal communications. While the phrase is versatile, focusing on the active aspect of getting support will always improve your writings. When you're looking for alternatives, phrases like "securing aid", "getting support", and "accessing support" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

securing aid

Focuses on the successful acquisition of aid or support.

getting support

Highlights the act of receiving backing or help.

acquiring help

Emphasizes the process of getting help.

accessing support

Focuses on the ability to reach and use available support systems.

procuring support

Implies a more formal or deliberate process of acquiring support.

seeking help

Highlights the act of looking for assistance.

requesting assistance

Focuses on the formal asking for assistance.

finding aid

Emphasizes the discovery of available assistance.

leveraging support

Suggests using available support to one's advantage.

enlisting help

Focuses on actively engaging others to provide help.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "obtaining assistance"?

You can use alternatives like "securing aid", "getting support", or "accessing support" depending on the context.

How to use "obtaining assistance" in a sentence?

You can use "obtaining assistance" to describe the process of seeking and receiving help. For example, "One of the big problems that victims face is "obtaining assistance" from the banks after such incidents."

Is "obtaining assistance" formal or informal?

"Obtaining assistance" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase suitable for various contexts, including news, business, and academic writing. The level of formality depends on the surrounding language.

What are the common challenges in "obtaining assistance"?

Common challenges include lack of awareness of available resources, complex application processes, and eligibility requirements. For instance, "Barriers to emergency preparedness include lack in clarity regarding responsibilities related to preparedness and resource allocation... and knowledge of methods for "obtaining assistance" from inter-agency enablers external to an affected organization."