that might help

USAGE SUMMARY

"that might help" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when suggesting a solution that has a chance of success, but is not guaranteed. For example: "Have you tried asking them for help? That might help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's one thing that might help me".

The New York Times - Sports

Can you recommend books that might help?

The Guardian

A few tricks that might help.

The New York Times

Here's some advice that might help.

The New York Times

Here's a keyword brainstorming tool [PDF] that might help.

University of California, Berkeley

Legislation that might help one farmer would destroy another.

Stanford University

Do I have any tips that might help you?

Stanford University

Let me give an analogy that might help separate them.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A new study suggests a strategy that might help.

University of California, Berkeley

Here are three tips that might help you out.

University of California, Berkeley

They discussed other surgical procedures that might help hardcore gamers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that might help" to offer a suggestion when you're not entirely certain of the outcome, but believe it has a reasonable chance of success. This conveys a sense of possibility without overpromising results.

Common error

Avoid using "that might help" when you are confident that another approach would be more effective or that a particular method has already been proven successful. In such instances, provide a more definitive recommendation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that might help" functions as a hedge or qualifier when making a suggestion or offering potential advice. It indicates a possibility rather than a certainty, softening the statement and allowing for the chance that the suggestion may not be effective. Ludwig AI confirms that it is appropriate to use when suggesting a solution with a chance of success.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

27%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

8%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that might help" is a versatile phrase used to offer suggestions or potential solutions with a degree of uncertainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across diverse contexts. It functions as a hedge, softening the tone and indicating a possibility rather than a guarantee. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication, with frequent usage in news and academic settings. Remember to use this phrase when you want to propose a solution without overstating the certainty of its success. Using alternatives such as "that could be beneficial" or "that may be of assistance" can add nuance to your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that could be beneficial

Replaces "might" with "could be", indicating a similar level of possibility but with a slightly more formal tone.

that may be of assistance

Emphasizes the potential for providing aid or support, using more formal language.

that could prove useful

Highlights the potential utility or helpfulness of something.

it could be advantageous

Focuses on the potential benefit or advantage that something might offer, often in a strategic context.

that may offer a solution

Specifies that the potential help is in the form of a solution to a problem.

that may resolve the issue

Suggests the help might specifically fix or resolve a problem.

it could alleviate the problem

Implies that the help will lessen or ease a problem, rather than completely solve it.

it might be worth considering

Adds a recommendation to think about the suggestion, implying it has potential value.

it's worth a shot

An informal expression suggesting that trying something is worthwhile, even if the outcome is uncertain.

that's a potential avenue

Presents the suggestion as one possible path or approach to explore.

FAQs

How can I use "that might help" in a sentence?

Use "that might help" to introduce a suggestion or potential solution. For example, "Have you tried restarting your computer? That might help."

What are some alternatives to "that might help"?

You can use alternatives like "that could help", "that may be of assistance", or "it could prove useful" depending on the context.

Is "that might help" a formal or informal phrase?

"That might help" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider the audience and situation when choosing your words.

What's the difference between "that might help" and "that will help"?

"That might help" indicates a possibility or suggestion, while "that will help" expresses a stronger degree of certainty about the outcome. Use "that might help" when you're less sure of the result.