pleas for help

USAGE SUMMARY

"pleas for help" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to the action of asking for aid or assistance from another person, group, or organization. For example: The refugees in the war-torn country sent out pleas for help to any nation who was willing to provide assistance.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Washington was resisting pleas for help.

The New York Times

She said the valet disregarded her pleas for help.

The Guardian - Sport

Food pantries are indeed overflowing with pleas for help.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, the ragamuffin's pleas for help are ignored.

The New Yorker

Women even die from ruptured ectopic pregnancies because jail employees ignore their pleas for help.

The New York Times

Outside Rael's cage is his brother John, who ignores Rael's pleas for help and walks away.

The New Yorker

But it seemed like my pleas for help got lost in a vast desert.

The Guardian

The rebels have issued pleas for help, saying they are running out of ammunition.

The New York Times

At issue was whether the two workers had ignored pleas for help.

The New York Times

Ms Farkash's continued pleas for help have been met with silence.

Independent

Their work has the relentlessness of battlefield medicine, with pleas for help coming from all sides.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pleas for help", clearly specify the type of assistance needed to ensure a focused and effective response. For example, instead of general "pleas for help", specify "pleas for medical supplies" or "pleas for financial aid".

Common error

While "pleas for help" is widely understood, it can sometimes sound overly emotional or informal in professional writing. In such cases, consider using more neutral alternatives like "requests for assistance" or "appeals for support".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pleas for help" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes instances where individuals or groups are making urgent requests for assistance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pleas for help" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe urgent requests for assistance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, conveying a sense of urgency and need. While versatile, it is advisable to consider the level of formality required by the writing context. Alternatives such as "requests for assistance" or "appeals for aid" may be more suitable for formal settings. Remember to specify the type of help needed for a more effective response. The phrase's communicative purpose is to elicit action by expressing a critical need.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requests for assistance

Replaces "pleas" with a more formal synonym, "requests".

cries for help

Substitutes "pleas" with "cries", emphasizing urgency and desperation.

appeals for aid

Uses "appeals" instead of "pleas" and "aid" for "help", providing a slightly more formal tone.

calls for support

Employs "calls" in place of "pleas" and "support" for "help", broadening the context to include non-material assistance.

petitions for assistance

Replaces "pleas" with "petitions", suggesting a more formal and structured request.

urgent requests for help

Adds "urgent" to emphasize the immediate need for assistance.

desperate appeals for assistance

Combines "desperate" with "appeals" to highlight the critical nature of the situation.

shouts for help

Replaces "pleas" with "shouts", indicating a loud and possibly frantic request.

entreaties for help

Substitutes "pleas" with the more formal term "entreaties".

solicitations for assistance

Employs "solicitations" instead of "pleas", suggesting a more organized effort to obtain help.

FAQs

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

You can use "pleas for help" to describe situations where individuals or groups are urgently requesting assistance. For example: "The organization received countless "pleas for help" from the disaster-stricken region."

What are some alternatives to "pleas for help"?

Some alternatives include "requests for assistance", "cries for help", or "appeals for aid", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "pleas for help" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "pleas for help" might be perceived as too emotional for certain formal contexts. In such cases, consider using alternatives like "requests for assistance" or "appeals for support".

What's the difference between "pleas for help" and "calls for help"?

"Pleas for help" often imply a sense of urgency and desperation, while "calls for help" can be more general requests for assistance or support. The choice depends on the specific context and the level of urgency you wish to convey.