which helps to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which helps to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a clause that explains the purpose or benefit of something mentioned earlier in the sentence. Example: "The new software update includes several features which help to improve user experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It contains marshmallow which helps to soothe and calm.

Independent

enzyme -- complex protein which helps to speed biochemical reactions.

University of California, Berkeley

But most of it is unsaturated, which helps to lower low-density-lipoprotein (L.D.L).

The New York Times - Health

Initially, instant data journalism, which helps to make an evolving news story clearer.

The Guardian

Which helps to explain why we are having such trouble coming to terms with it.

The Guardian - Tech

The SSEi gets the stability system used on Cadillacs, which helps to prevent skids.

The New York Times

Which helps to account for the fact that the hotel's proprietor is an Aussie expat.

The Guardian - Travel

It is a space which helps to connect pupils to the natural world.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The numbers are still small, which helps to account for the rapid growth.

The New York Times - Books

A number of services are non-tradeable, which helps to achieve the rebalancing aims.

The Guardian - Opinion

As with Pandora, you can identify songs you love, which helps to tailor your radio experience.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which helps to" when you want to clearly indicate a causal relationship, explaining how one element assists in achieving a specific outcome or benefit. Ensure the clause introduced by "which" directly relates to the noun it modifies for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "that helps to" when referring to non-restrictive clauses (clauses that add extra, non-essential information). "Which helps to" is appropriate for non-restrictive clauses, while "that helps to" is for restrictive clauses (clauses essential to the sentence's meaning).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which helps to" functions as a relative clause introducing additional information about a noun or pronoun. It specifies the purpose or effect of the preceding element. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

39%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which helps to" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to introduce a non-restrictive clause that explains how something assists or contributes to a particular outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it enjoys widespread usage across diverse sources, including news media, scientific publications, and general informational websites. While "which helps to" has a neutral register, it's more frequent in journalistic and scientific contexts than in purely academic or business settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by directly relating it to the noun it modifies and be mindful of the distinction between "which" and "that" to avoid grammatical errors. Alternatives include phrases like "that assists in" or "that contributes to", providing options for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that assists in

This alternative uses "assists" instead of "helps", emphasizing the support provided, and "in" rather than "to" making the phrase slightly more formal.

that aids in

Swaps "helps" for "aids", implying a more direct form of assistance, and "to" for "in".

which serves to

This alternative emphasizes the function or purpose of something, swapping "helps" with "serves".

that facilitates

Replaces the helping verb with "facilitates", suggesting that something makes a process easier.

that contributes to

This suggests that something is one of several factors that lead to a particular result, and replaces "helps" with "contributes".

that promotes

Indicates that something actively encourages or supports a particular outcome, swapping "helps" with "promotes".

that supports

Implies provision of assistance or encouragement and replaces the verb "helps" with "supports".

that enables

Suggests something makes it possible for an action to occur, substituting "helps" with "enables".

which allows for

This alternative shifts the focus to permission or possibility and swaps "helps" with "allows".

that improves

Focuses on enhancement or betterment and replaces "helps" with "improves".

FAQs

How do I use "which helps to" in a sentence?

Use "which helps to" to introduce a non-restrictive clause that explains how something contributes to a particular result. For example, "The new software update includes a feature "which helps to" improve user experience."

What are some alternatives to "which helps to"?

You can use alternatives like "that assists in", "that aids in", or "that contributes to", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "which helps" or "which helps to"?

While both are grammatically correct, ""which helps to"" is often preferred for greater clarity and emphasis on the purpose or function. "Which helps" is also commonly used and acceptable.

What's the difference between 'that helps to' and "which helps to"?

"That helps to" introduces a restrictive clause (essential information), while ""which helps to"" introduces a non-restrictive clause (additional information). For example, "The tool that helps to organize data is essential" vs. "This tool, which helps to organize data, is user-friendly."