plea for help

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'plea for help' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when someone is asking for assistance, usually in a desperate or urgent way. For example: "The refugees in the war-torn nation sent out a desperate plea for help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Was the rattle a plea for help?

The Guardian - Books

That was a plea for help.

The New York Times - Sports

The e-blast was a plea for help.

The New York Times

Late Tuesday, the staff posted another urgent plea for help on Twitter.

The New York Times

He had written a plea for help on the note, in English.

The New York Times - Magazine

Indeed, one way to read Mr. Obama's speech is as a plea for help.

The New York Times - Science

He called the 2002 advice a "screaming plea for help which was ignored".

The Guardian

Upshaw, however, said the union had responded to DeMarco's plea for help on numerous occasions.

The New York Times - Sports

So far, France has given no answer to the plea for help.

The New York Times

"Hee manun" is both "an expression of joy and a plea for help".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This is especially the case when Nancy obtains a waterproof camera and records a plea-for-help selfie video.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plea for help" when you want to convey a sense of urgency or desperation in the request. For example, "The organization issued a "plea for help" after the devastating earthquake."

Common error

Avoid using "plea for help" in situations where a simple request is sufficient. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact when a truly urgent situation arises. Consider using gentler alternatives such as "request for assistance" or "call for aid".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plea for help" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb or preposition, describing a specific instance of someone urgently requesting assistance, as evidenced by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plea for help" is a noun phrase used to convey an urgent request for assistance, often in situations of distress. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It is most frequently found in news and media, followed by academic and scientific contexts. When writing, it's best to use "plea for help" when the situation genuinely calls for urgency, and to avoid overuse by considering alternatives like "request for assistance" in less critical situations. Ludwig examples showcase its usage across various contexts, emphasizing the importance of conveying a sense of urgency and need when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cry for help

Emphasizes the desperation and emotional distress behind the request.

urgent request for help

Adds emphasis to the time-sensitive nature of the need.

call for aid

Highlights the urgency and the need for immediate support.

request for assistance

A more formal and general way of asking for aid.

solicitation for assistance

Focuses on the act of actively seeking help.

appeal for support

Implies a persuasive attempt to gain backing or resources.

entreaty for aid

A formal and earnest request for help.

supplication for help

Suggests a humble and earnest appeal.

distress signal

Suggests a situation of danger or extreme adversity.

demand for help

Expresses a strong and urgent need, sometimes implying a right to assistance.

FAQs

How can I use "plea for help" in a sentence?

You can use "plea for help" to describe a situation where someone is urgently asking for assistance. For example, "The stranded hikers sent out a desperate "plea for help" after their supplies ran out."

What's a more formal way to say "plea for help"?

A more formal alternative to "plea for help" is "request for assistance". This option is suitable for professional or official contexts.

What can I say instead of "plea for help" to emphasize urgency?

To emphasize urgency, you can use alternatives such as "urgent request for help" or "cry for help", which convey a sense of immediate need.

Is it appropriate to use "plea for help" in a business context?

While "plea for help" can be used in a business context, it's important to consider the tone. In many cases, a more professional phrase like "solicitation for assistance" or "appeal for support" might be more suitable.