was a great help

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'was a great help' is correct and may be used in written English.
It is often used when describing the assistance a particular person or thing provided to someone or something else. For example, "My supervisor's advice was a great help in solving the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Applicants "found the website very helpful" and "the web based seminar was a great help" in preparation of their proposals.

BMC Health Services Research

He was a great help to me.

The New York Times

So that was a great help.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was a great help to me," she said.

The New Yorker

It was a great help when writing The Reader".

The Guardian - Books

My sister was a great help throughout this time.

The New York Times

"The computer was a great help," Ms. Vary said.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mary has been a great help, so understanding, so helpful.

The New York Times

Being in love is a great help.

The New York Times - Arts

"That's a great help".

The Guardian

/ Being in love / is a great help.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was a great help", ensure the context clearly indicates what specifically benefitted from the assistance. Being specific strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "was a great help" as a generic statement. Always specify how something was helpful. For example, instead of "The software was a great help", try "The software's automated reports were a great help in streamlining our workflow."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was a great help" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, describing the subject's characteristic of providing significant assistance. Ludwig shows that this expression commonly concludes sentences, emphasizing the helpful nature of a person, object, or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was a great help" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey that something or someone provided significant assistance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and business. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or highly professional settings. When using the phrase, specificity is key; clarify how something was helpful to strengthen your statement. For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "provided significant assistance" or "was of considerable assistance".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was extremely helpful

Replaces "great" with "extremely" to emphasize the degree of helpfulness.

provided significant assistance

Uses more formal language to convey the idea of substantial help.

was of considerable assistance

Employs a formal tone, replacing "great help" with "considerable assistance".

proved invaluable

Indicates that something or someone was essential and extremely helpful.

was a significant asset

Highlights the value and helpfulness of someone or something.

was instrumental in

Indicates a crucial role in achieving a particular outcome.

was a boon to

Implies that something was a benefit or advantage.

gave a great boost to

Highlights the positive impact and support provided.

aided significantly

Uses a more concise and direct way to express the idea of providing substantial help.

contributed greatly to

Focuses on the contribution made, emphasizing its importance.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was a great help" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "provided significant assistance", "was of considerable assistance", or "proved invaluable".

What are some synonyms for "was a great help" that emphasize the importance of the assistance?

Synonyms that highlight the importance of the assistance include "was instrumental in", "was a significant asset", or "contributed greatly to".

Is it always necessary to specify how something "was a great help"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying how something "was a great help" improves clarity and provides more context for your statement. This makes your writing more effective and informative.

Can "was a great help" be used to describe both people and things?

Yes, "was a great help" can be used to describe both people and things that provided assistance. For example, "My colleague was a great help" and "The new software was a great help" are both correct.