to assist

USAGE SUMMARY

"to assist" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a person or thing is providing help or support to someone else. For example, "The coach is looking for volunteers to assist in running practice drills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He drove over to assist.

The New York Times

Mr Sefcovic is trying to assist both.

The Economist

"I walked toward them to assist them.

The New York Times

I was unable to assist him.

The New Yorker

"They were both born to assist".

The New York Times

"The United States stands ready to assist".

Independent

Henry inexplicably agrees to assist.

The Guardian - Books

"We'd be happy to assist".

The New York Times

MI5 was anxious to assist.

The Guardian

"We stand ready to assist".

The Guardian

Dr. Libby wanted to assist.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates who is assisting whom. For example, instead of just saying "I am here to assist", specify "I am here to assist you with your project".

Common error

While "to assist" is appropriate in many situations, avoid overusing it in informal communication. Sometimes, simpler alternatives like "to help" sound more natural and less stiff.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to assist" functions primarily as an infinitive of purpose. It indicates the reason or intention behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms this usage by providing numerous examples where it connects an action with its intended outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to assist" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that serves as an infinitive of purpose, indicating an intention to provide help or support. Ludwig AI highlights that it is found frequently in news, wiki, and scientific contexts, often preferred in more formal communications. While "to help" is a simpler alternative, "to assist" adds a touch of formality. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, writers can effectively use "to assist" to communicate clearly and professionally.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to help

This is the most direct and common synonym, implying a simple act of providing aid.

to aid

Similar to "to help" but often suggests more formal or significant assistance.

to support

Implies providing resources or encouragement to someone.

to lend a hand

An idiomatic expression meaning to offer assistance.

to give assistance

A more formal way of saying "to assist", often used in official contexts.

to be of service

A polite and formal way to offer help.

to contribute

Suggests providing something, whether effort, resources, or expertise, to a common goal.

to facilitate

Implies making something easier or smoother for someone else.

to back up

Suggests providing support or reinforcement.

to collaborate

Implies working together to achieve a common goal.

FAQs

How to use "to assist" in a sentence?

The phrase "to assist" is used to indicate that someone is providing help or support. For example, "The volunteers are there "to assist" the elderly with their shopping."

What can I say instead of "to assist"?

You can use alternatives like "to help", "to aid", or "to support" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "to assist" or "assisting"?

Both "to assist" and "assisting" can be correct, but they have different grammatical functions. "To assist" is an infinitive, while "assisting" is a gerund or present participle. Use "to assist" after auxiliary verbs like "is going" or "needs". Use "assisting" as a verb in continuous tenses (e.g., "He is assisting") or as a noun (e.g., "Assisting others is rewarding").

What's the difference between "to assist" and "to help out"?

"To assist" is generally more formal than "to help out". "To assist" often implies a more structured or official form of aid, while "to help out" suggests more casual or informal assistance.