perhaps this helps

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perhaps this helps" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are offering assistance or suggesting that the information you provided may be beneficial to the reader. Example: "I know this topic can be confusing, but here are some resources that explain it better. Perhaps this helps."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Perhaps this helps to explain why the arithmetic-intensive profession of banking was invented in Italy.

The Economist

Perhaps this helps explain Bloomberg's rumored interest in buying a newspaper like the Times.

The New Yorker

Perhaps this helps explain why so many presidents have been lifelong politicians, while so few have been former business executives.

The Economist

Perhaps this helps clarify Obama's reference to Biden, in the final debate, as "my current vice-president"?

The Guardian

Perhaps this helps to explain why she has achieved what no other British Asian girl yet has - international sporting success.

The Guardian

Perhaps this helps to explain their shared pessimism, for it does appear that we are witnessing the birth of a new school of philosophy: New Jersey Nihilism".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

He and Ibrahimovic couldn't have come from more different backgrounds, and perhaps this helped the project: he struggled to get inside his head.

The Guardian - Books

In our first years of knowing one another, it always amazed me that he had done his National Service in the Parachute Regiment, and taken part in the Suez campaign – although, in a way, I thought, perhaps this helped explain the debacle.

The Guardian - Film

Perhaps this helped him make the mental breakthrough in 2001, or perhaps, as Roger himself suggested in a 2009 interview, he simply realized that he had to take responsibility for his own behavior and attitude on court.

Huffington Post

To stand up and to try to work for justice and for truth, that's always something that is useful, and if anything can help, perhaps this can help a little bit.

Vice

Perhaps this similarity helps explain the success of rapper-actors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perhaps this helps" to gently introduce an explanation or suggestion, especially when you're unsure if the information will be useful to the recipient. This softens the tone and avoids sounding presumptuous.

Common error

Avoid using "perhaps this helps" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your tone sound repetitive or uncertain. Vary your introductory phrases to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perhaps this helps" functions as a hedge, used to introduce an explanation or suggestion with a degree of tentativeness. Ludwig AI indicates this is a correct and usable expression. It softens the tone, making the suggestion less assertive, as seen in many examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perhaps this helps" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce an explanation or suggestion in a considerate manner. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its purpose is to provide assistance without sounding presumptuous. While commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it can be adapted for various registers by choosing more formal alternatives when needed. When writing, keep in mind that overusing "perhaps this helps" can make your tone repetitive, so vary your sentence structure and use alternative phrasing, such as "maybe this clarifies", to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possibly this explains

Uses "explains" to indicate that the information will provide a reason or cause.

maybe this clarifies

This alternative uses "clarifies" to suggest the information will make something easier to understand.

maybe this will assist

Substitutes "helps" with "assist", which has a slightly more formal tone.

this might illuminate

Replaces "helps" with "illuminate", implying the information will shed light on the subject.

perhaps this offers insight into

Replaces "helps" with "offers insight into", indicating the information provides a deeper understanding.

perhaps this elucidates

This alternative, "elucidates", is a more formal synonym for "clarifies" or "explains".

maybe this gives some context

Uses "gives some context" to imply the information will provide background or relevant details.

this could shed light on

Employs the idiom "shed light on", suggesting the information will make something clearer.

this provides some perspective

Suggests that the information offers a particular viewpoint or way of understanding.

perhaps it clarifies matters

It uses "it" and "matters" instead of "this" and no verb. Meaning has subtle differences.

FAQs

How can I use "perhaps this helps" in a sentence?

"Perhaps this helps" is typically used to introduce an explanation or suggestion that might clarify a situation. For example, "I've included some additional information; "perhaps this helps" with your understanding."

What are some alternatives to saying "perhaps this helps"?

Alternatives include "maybe this clarifies", "possibly this explains", or "this might illuminate". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "perhaps this helps" too informal for professional writing?

While "perhaps this helps" is generally acceptable, for very formal contexts, consider slightly more formal alternatives such as "perhaps this elucidates" or "this provides some perspective" to maintain a polished tone.

What's the difference between "perhaps this helps" and "I hope this helps"?

"Perhaps this helps" introduces information with a degree of uncertainty about its helpfulness. "I hope this helps" expresses a direct wish that the information will be beneficial, conveying a stronger sense of expectation.