to be helped

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be helped" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is the passive form of "to help," and it can be used in various contexts to describe when someone is receiving assistance or support from someone else. Here are a few examples: - "I need to be helped with my homework tonight." (This implies that the speaker is asking for someone to assist them with their homework.) - "The injured hiker was grateful to be helped by the park ranger." (This indicates that the ranger provided assistance to the injured hiker.) - "I cannot function without being helped by my morning cup of coffee." (This suggests that the speaker needs the coffee to support them and help them function.) - "The new employee was eager to be helped and learn from their more experienced colleagues." (This expresses the new employee's willingness to receive support and guidance from their colleagues.) In general, "to be helped" is most often used in situations where someone is receiving aid, support, or assistance from another person, object, or activity.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We also needed to be helped".

Independent

They need to be helped," he said.

The Guardian

They don't want to be helped.

The New Yorker

He had to be helped, rescued.

The New Yorker

I had to be helped".

The New York Times

Sometimes they don't want to be helped.

The Economist

"It was a blessing to be helped".

The New York Times

To be helped so much assumes a need to be helped so much.

The Guardian - Travel

"But Greece has to want to be helped.

The New York Times

"They need to be helped on that journey".

The New York Times

We also needed to be helped," he said.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be helped", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is providing the assistance.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating who is providing the help. For example, instead of saying "He needs to be helped", specify "He needs to be helped by a therapist" to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be helped" functions as a passive infinitive, expressing the action of receiving assistance. It's commonly used to indicate that someone or something is in need of support or aid. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

14%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be helped" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive infinitive that signifies the act of receiving assistance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatile application across diverse contexts. While generally neutral in register, its usage patterns reveal a prevalence in news media and academic spheres. Remember to clearly specify the helper to avoid ambiguity and consider alternative phrases like "to be assisted" for a more formal tone. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "to be helped" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be assisted

A more formal and direct synonym for being helped.

to receive assistance

Emphasizes the act of getting help, focusing on the reception of aid.

to get support

Focuses on the support aspect of being helped, implying a more ongoing form of assistance.

to be given aid

Highlights the act of providing assistance, often in a humanitarian context.

to be provided for

Suggests that someone's needs are being taken care of.

to be taken care of

Implies a broader sense of care and attention, not just direct help.

to be looked after

Similar to 'taken care of' but with a sense of personal attention.

to be rescued

Implies a situation where someone is saved from a difficult or dangerous situation.

to be delivered from

Suggests a formal or even religious deliverance from a problem or danger.

to be saved

Similar to 'rescued' but can also imply a more general saving from trouble.

FAQs

How can I use "to be helped" in a sentence?

Use "to be helped" when you want to express the passive form of helping someone. For example, "She needs "to be helped" with her homework" or "The project is "to be helped" by a team of experts".

What's a more formal way to say "to be helped"?

A more formal alternative to "to be helped" is "to be assisted". This phrase carries a more professional tone and is suitable for formal writing or speech.

Is it always necessary to specify who is helping when using "to be helped"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying who is providing the help often adds clarity. Omitting the helper can sometimes make the sentence vague or unclear. For instance, "The patient needs "to be taken care of"" is clearer if specified as "The patient needs "to be taken care of" by a nurse".

What's the difference between "to be helped" and "to help"?

"To be helped" is in the passive voice, indicating that someone is receiving assistance. "To help" is in the active voice, indicating that someone is providing assistance. For example, "He wants to help" means he wants to give assistance, while "He wants "to be helped"" means he wants to receive assistance.