plead for help

USAGE SUMMARY

"plead for help" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to passionately ask or beg for assistance or support. You can use it in any situation where someone is desperately seeking help or assistance. Example: The young girl stood on the street corner, holding a cardboard sign and pleading for help from passerby.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

We had to plead for help.

The Guardian

Game characters plead for help in instant-message chats.

The New York Times - Tech

After the Bardo attack, President Essebsi travelled to the US in May to plead for help.

Independent

Many have took to social media to plead for help in locating their loved ones.

Independent

As job losses mount, more students like her may plead for help next year.

The New York Times

His family reported him missing and set up a Facebook page to plead for help in finding him.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Shane ran inside, pleading for help.

The Guardian

The Philadelphia 76ers were pleading for help.

The New York Times - Sports

The brothers filed complaints, sent letters and pleaded for help.

The New York Times

"I kept looking around, pleading for help," she said.

The New York Times

All around her others were crying and pleading for help.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance your writing, consider using synonyms or related phrases like "beg for assistance" or "appeal for aid" for variety and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "plead for help" in situations that don't require a high degree of urgency or desperation. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing seem melodramatic. Opt for milder expressions like "ask for assistance" when the situation is less critical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plead for help" functions as a verb phrase, where "plead" is the main verb and "for help" is a prepositional phrase acting as an object. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "plead for help" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that conveys an urgent request for assistance. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is appropriate for various contexts, though most frequently found in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, it carries an inherent sense of desperation or urgency. For more formal or less critical situations, consider alternatives like "request assistance" or "seek support". The effectiveness of "plead for help" lies in its ability to communicate a critical need, making it a powerful tool in writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beg for assistance

Emphasizes a more humble and desperate appeal.

appeal for aid

Suggests a formal request for assistance, often from an organization.

cry out for help

Highlights the urgency and emotional distress of the situation.

solicit support

Implies a more active and strategic effort to obtain help.

entreat for assistance

Indicates a formal and earnest request for help.

implore for aid

Conveys a sense of desperation and urgency in the request.

seek intervention

Suggests a need for external involvement to resolve a problem.

call for rescue

Specifically refers to needing immediate assistance to escape danger.

request succor

Implies a formal or literary context where comfort or relief is sought.

petition for assistance

Signifies a formal and structured appeal, often in a legal or political context.

FAQs

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

You can use "plead for help" to describe someone urgently requesting assistance, like "The refugees "plead for help" from international organizations".

What are some alternatives to "plead for help"?

Alternatives include "beg for assistance", "appeal for aid", or "cry out for help", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "plead for help" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "plead for help" might be too emotionally charged for some formal contexts. Consider using more neutral phrases like "request assistance" or "seek support" in professional or academic settings.

What's the difference between "plead for help" and "ask for help"?

"Plead for help" implies a greater sense of urgency and desperation compared to "ask for help". The former suggests a critical situation, while the latter is a more general request.