send help

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "send help" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in situations where someone is requesting assistance or support, often in urgent or distressing circumstances. Example: "I found myself lost in the woods and had to send help to my friends to find me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Please, if you're reading this, send help.

The New Yorker

When Memphis did not send help, Anthony shot the game-winner.

The New York Times - Sports

It said that Winton had been taken prisoner by a tribe and pleaded, "Please send help".

The New Yorker

Using Twitter, Mr. Booker was assuring people that he would send help right away.

The New York Times

Foreign donors are ready to send help, as the Angolan army has repeatedly requested.

The Economist

By late Wednesday, nine countries had agreed to send help, news outlets reported.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Mr. Kerry immediately sent help.

The New York Times

"Are they sending help?" someone asks.

The New York Times

Living.com sent help -- lots of it.

The New York Times

The Mexican government, sent help from the beginning.

The Guardian

Greece, Turkey's historical rival, was among the countries which sent help.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "send help", be clear about the nature of the help needed and the urgency of the situation. Provide specific details to ensure the appropriate assistance is provided promptly.

Common error

Avoid using "send help" casually in situations where the need for assistance is trivial. Overuse can dilute the phrase's impact and make genuine requests seem less serious. Consider alternatives like "can you assist me" or "I need a hand" in less urgent scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "send help" functions primarily as an imperative, used to directly request immediate assistance. This is supported by Ludwig AI's analysis, which confirms its direct and actionable nature. Many examples show it used in urgent situations, indicating a need for quick intervention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "send help" is a common and direct imperative phrase used to request immediate assistance, often in urgent or distressing situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best to reserve "send help" for situations where the need is genuine and immediate, avoiding overuse in casual conversation. Consider using more formal alternatives like "request assistance" in professional settings to ensure an appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ask for aid

Simple and direct request for assistance.

need assistance

Direct statement of requiring help.

call for aid

Implies urgency, similar to "call for assistance".

call for assistance

Similar to "request assistance", but implies a more urgent need.

cry for help

Emphasizes desperation and a strong need for support.

request assistance

More formal alternative emphasizing the act of asking for aid.

reach out for help

Emphasizes the action of actively seeking assistance from others.

seek assistance

Suggests a proactive search for help.

require assistance

Formal way to state a need for help.

summon assistance

Suggests a formal or official request for aid.

FAQs

How can I use "send help" effectively in a sentence?

Use "send help" when you need immediate assistance. For example, "I'm trapped in the elevator, "send help"!"

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

In formal contexts, use phrases like "request assistance" or "call for aid" to maintain a professional tone.

When is it appropriate to use "cry for help" instead of "send help"?

"Cry for help" is suitable when emphasizing desperation or a dire need for support, suggesting a situation beyond simple assistance. In other situations consider alternative as "need assistance".

What's the difference between "call for help" and "send help"?

"Call for help" emphasizes the act of requesting assistance, while "send help" focuses on the action of dispatching aid. They're often interchangeable, but "call for help" is about making the request and ""send help"" focuses on what should happen next.