was very helpful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was very helpful" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone or something that was beneficial or useful in a situation. Here is an example: "The librarian was very helpful in finding the research materials I needed for my essay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He was very helpful.

The New Yorker

It was very helpful.

The New York Times

The machine was very helpful.

Independent

The diocese was very helpful.

The New York Times - Magazine

The sincerity and understanding was very helpful".

The New York Times

"For me, he was very helpful.

Independent

From that standpoint, it was very helpful.

The Economist

None of this was very helpful).

The New York Times - Arts

But in retrospect, it was very helpful".

The New York Times

"Pat was very helpful," he said.

The New York Times

Through the tour, certainly, Kev was very helpful to me.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of assistance, follow "was very helpful" with a "to + verb" phrase to clarify the specific benefit, such as, "The advice was very helpful to clarify my goals."

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "very" as an intensifier. Consider using a stronger adjective to convey the same meaning more concisely, such as, "The guide was invaluable" instead of "The guide was very helpful."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was very helpful" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject and indicating that it provided assistance or benefit. Ludwig AI confirms this is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase. Examples show its use in describing various forms of assistance, from advice to tools.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was very helpful" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something or someone provided assistance or benefit. According to Ludwig AI, it is widely used in writing. Analyzing Ludwig's examples, we find that the phrase sees extensive use in news, science, and business contexts. While "was very helpful" is suitable for many situations, consider using stronger adjectives like "invaluable" or "instrumental" for more impactful writing. Alternatives like "provided significant assistance" or "served a crucial purpose" can also add nuance. To avoid overuse of "very", try replacing it with more descriptive adjectives or rephrasing your sentence for greater clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was extremely useful

Directly conveys the practical benefit, intensifying the helpfulness.

proved to be quite beneficial

Emphasizes the positive outcome or advantage provided, differing in the verb used and overall tone.

turned out to be advantageous

Highlights the positive outcome or favorable result, focusing on the benefit gained.

was of great value

Focuses on the worth or importance of the assistance, employing a more formal register.

offered significant assistance

Highlights the act of providing help, using more formal vocabulary.

provided a substantial aid

Underscores the supportive nature of the help, using a slightly more elevated style.

lent considerable support

Stresses the backing or encouragement provided, differing in the verb choice.

served a crucial purpose

Emphasizes the essential role or function fulfilled, shifting the focus slightly from direct assistance.

played a key role

Highlights the importance or significance of the contribution, emphasizing its impact.

was a boon

Implies a blessing or stroke of good fortune, using a more figurative expression.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "was very helpful"?

You can use alternatives like "was extremely useful", "was invaluable", or "was extremely helpful" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

How can I make my sentence more specific after saying something "was very helpful"?

Follow the phrase "was very helpful" with a "to + verb" phrase to explain the specific action or outcome that benefited from the help. For example, "The tool was very helpful to streamline the process."

Is it always necessary to use "very" with "helpful"?

No, you can often use stronger adjectives to replace "very helpful" for a more impactful statement. For instance, "beneficial", "useful", or "instrumental" can sometimes be more effective.

Which is better, "was very helpful" or "was a great help"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "was a great help" is more concise and direct. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.