that helps

USAGE SUMMARY

"that helps" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has been said or done previously that has assisted in providing understanding or a solution to a problem. For example: "Thank you for explaining the situation - that helps."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Oh, that helps.

The New York Times

I think that helps me.

Independent

It's the colour that helps.

Independent

I think all that helps".

The New York Times

I think that helps him".

BBC

I suppose that helps?

Huffington Post

That helps.

The New York Times

That helps ground me.

The New York Times

That helps during overtaking.

The Economist

That helps a lot".

The New York Times

Surprisingly, that helps.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that helps" to acknowledge a contribution or suggestion, showing understanding and agreement. For example, "Providing clear examples – that helps me understand the concept better."

Common error

Avoid using "that helps" without a clear reference to what 'that' refers. Always ensure the context is evident to prevent confusion. For example, instead of just saying "That helps", specify "Your explanation helps a lot."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that helps" functions as a concise acknowledgement or affirmation that something previously stated or done is useful or beneficial. As Ludwig AI points out, it implies a positive impact or contribution to a situation. The phrase acts as a simple declarative statement expressing assistance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that helps" is a commonly used expression to acknowledge that something is useful or beneficial. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and versatile, fitting well into various contexts, including news, business, and informal conversation. Its primary function is to express gratitude or agreement, confirming that a previous action or statement is contributing positively. While simple, it's crucial to ensure clear context to avoid ambiguity. For enhanced expression, alternatives like "that assists" or "that is beneficial" can be used, providing a richer nuance. Avoiding ambiguity and providing clear context ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that assists

Replaces "helps" with a more formal synonym, implying assistance.

that aids

Synonymous replacement of "helps" with "aids", indicating support.

that is beneficial

Shifts from direct help to describing the positive impact.

that contributes

Highlights the contribution made by something.

that is useful

Highlights the utility and practicality of something.

that is supportive

Emphasizes the supportive role of something.

that facilitates

Emphasizes making something easier or more likely to happen.

that is advantageous

Focuses on the favorable nature of the action or situation.

that eases

Suggests a lessening of difficulty or burden.

that advances

Highlights the progressive or forward-moving impact.

FAQs

How can I use "that helps" in a sentence?

You can use "that helps" to acknowledge a previous statement or action that provides assistance or clarification. For example, "Your explanation cleared up my confusion; "that helps" a lot."

What are some alternatives to saying "that helps"?

You can use alternatives like "that assists", "that is beneficial", or "that contributes" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "that is help" instead of "that helps"?

No, "that is help" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrase is ""that helps"", where "helps" is a verb indicating that something is providing assistance.

When should I use "that helps" versus "that is helpful"?

"That helps" is used to directly acknowledge assistance provided. "That is helpful" is more descriptive, stating that something possesses the quality of being useful. For instance, "Your advice helps me" versus "Your advice is helpful".