help
gb/hˈɛlp/ us/hˈɛlp/
A1
English
~ 900
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A1
action
1
Give assistance or support
To make it easier for someone to do something by giving them what they need.
Usage pattern:
to help [someone] (with [something])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes omit 'with' when talking about helping with a task, e.g., 'Help me my homework' instead of 'Help me with my homework'.
Synonyms
assist (Slightly more formal and often used in professional or technical contexts.)
Antonyms
hinder (Means to make it more difficult for something to happen.)
Collocations
help someone out
|help with homework
|help a friend
Themes
daily life
|relationships
|work
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- She helped her brother carry the heavy box.
- Can you help me fix my bike?
- The volunteers helped the victims of the flood.
Learner examples
- I help my mother cook dinner.
- He helps his friend with homework.
- They help the teacher clean the room.
Noun
A1
entity
2
Assistance or support
Things you do or give to make it easier for someone to do something.
Synonyms
assistance (More formal; often used in official or professional contexts.)
Antonyms
obstruction (Means something that blocks progress instead of aiding it.)
Collocations
ask for help
|offer help
|get help
Themes
daily life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- I need your help to move this table.
- Thanks for your help yesterday.
- They offered help to the injured man.
Learner examples
- I need your help with this box.
- Thank you for your help.
- She gives help to old people.
Verb
B1
action
3
Prevent harm or trouble
To stop something bad from happening to you or other people.
Usage pattern:
can't/couldn't help [doing something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'help' in this sense with direct assistance rather than prevention.
Synonyms
save (Implies rescuing from danger, often more dramatic than 'help'.)
Antonyms
cause (Means to make something happen, including bad events.)
Collocations
help avoid
|help prevent
Themes
daily life
|safety
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- She called out for someone to help her from falling.
- Quick thinking helped him avoid an accident.
- Wearing a helmet can help prevent serious injury.
Learner examples
- He helps stop the fire from spreading.
- Washing your hands helps prevent illness.
- The seat belt helps keep you safe.
Verb
A2
action
4
Make something easier to happen
To make it easier for something to happen.
Usage pattern:
help [something] [do something]
Synonyms
facilitate (More formal and technical; often used in business or academic contexts.)
Antonyms
impede (Means to slow down or block progress.)
Collocations
help improve
|help reduce
Themes
work
|processes
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- Good communication can help build strong relationships.
- Regular exercise helps maintain good health.
- This tool will help speed up the process.
Learner examples
- Drinking water helps you stay healthy.
- Reading every day helps you learn new words.
- Good sleep helps your body work well.
Grammar
Dictionary form
help
IPA
GB/hˈɛlp/
US/hˈɛlp/
Syllables & stress
help (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (help)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: help
- Plural: help, helps
Verb
- Base: help
- 3rd Person Singular: helps
- Present Participle: helping
- Past: helped
Word family
Expressions
can't help (doing something)
1/kˈænt hˈɛlp dˈuɪŋ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Unable to stop oneself doing something
To be unable to stop yourself from doing something.
Examples
- I can't help laughing when I see that movie.
- He couldn't help falling in love with her.
help out
2/hˈɛlp ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
Assist someone with a task
To give someone support or do a part of their work, especially for a short time.
Examples
- Can you help out in the kitchen tonight?
- She helped out at the local animal shelter over the weekend.
so help me (God)
4/sˈoʊ hˈɛlp mˈi ɡˈɑd/
fixed phrase
informal
Strong promise or threat (truth/action)
Used to say you really mean what you are saying, sometimes as a threat.
Examples
- So help me God, if you touch my car...
- I will finish this project today, so help me God.
help yourself
3/hˈɛlp jʊɹsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
Take what you want (offered)
To take food, drink, or something else that is offered, without asking again.
Examples
- Please help yourself to some cake.
- Please help yourself to some cookies.
- They told us to help ourselves to drinks in the fridge.
- If you're hungry, help yourself from the fridge.