very helpful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very helpful" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that something has been helpful, especially to a great extent. For example, "Thanks for all your advice—it was very helpful!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Very helpful.

The Washington Post

> very helpful.

Columbia University

Sometimes they're very helpful.

The New Yorker

That wasn't very helpful.

The New York Times

"They were very helpful".

The New York Times - Science

He was very helpful.

The New Yorker

It's been very helpful.

The New York Times

You've been very helpful.

The New York Times

Very helpful, Lina.

The Guardian - Sport

ERIC: Very helpful.

The New Yorker

It was very helpful.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very helpful" to express gratitude or acknowledge the positive impact of assistance received. For example, when thanking someone for their advice or assistance.

Common error

While "very helpful" is acceptable, consider stronger synonyms like "invaluable" or "crucial" to avoid weakening your writing with excessive use of "very".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very helpful" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It intensifies the helpfulness of something, indicating a significant degree of assistance or benefit. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

45%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very helpful" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something has been of significant assistance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While perfectly acceptable, remember to consider stronger synonyms to avoid overuse and enhance the impact of your writing. When used appropriately, "very helpful" effectively conveys gratitude and acknowledges the positive influence of assistance received.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely useful

Emphasizes the high degree of utility or practicality.

incredibly beneficial

Highlights the positive impact or advantage provided.

exceptionally valuable

Stresses the importance and worth of the help.

particularly supportive

Focuses on the emotional or practical assistance given.

highly advantageous

Indicates a significant benefit or advantage gained.

remarkably effective

Highlights the success or efficiency of the assistance.

notably constructive

Emphasizes the positive and building nature of the help.

considerably assistive

Stresses the aid and support provided to a notable extent.

significantly facilitative

Highlights the role of easing or enabling progress.

quite instrumental

Indicates a crucial role in achieving a particular outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "very helpful" in a sentence?

You can use "very helpful" to describe something that provides a significant amount of assistance or benefit. For example, "The guide was "very helpful" in understanding the process".

What are some alternatives to "very helpful"?

Some alternatives to "very helpful" include "extremely useful", "incredibly beneficial", or "exceptionally valuable", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "very helpful and useful"?

Saying "very helpful and useful" can be somewhat redundant, as "helpful" and "useful" have similar meanings. It's generally better to choose one or the other, or use a stronger single word like "invaluable".

When should I use "very helpful" instead of "helpful"?

Use "very helpful" when you want to emphasize the degree to which something was helpful. If something was moderately helpful, "helpful" is sufficient; if it was significantly beneficial, "very helpful" is appropriate.