Cool MateHelp them out vs Support
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Help them out
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Support
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Most formal: SupportMost common: Support
| Help them out | Support | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //hɛlp ðɛm aʊt//🇺🇸 //hɛlp ðɛm aʊt// | 🇬🇧 /["/səˈpɔːt/","/səˈpɔːts/","/səˈpɔːtɪd/","/səˈpɔːtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səˈpɔːrt/","/səˈpɔːrts/","/səˈpɔːrtɪd/","/səˈpɔːrtɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To assist someone or make things easier for them. | To give help or assistance. |
| Example | I can help them out with their homework this evening. | I want to support my friends in their endeavors. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | help someone out, help them out with something, help out a friend, help out in any way, help them out of a situation | overwhelmingly, fervently, fully, agree to, pledge to, promise to, in, be well supported, be widely supported, support and encourage somebody/something, overwhelmingly, fervently, fully, agree to, pledge to, promise to, in, be well supported, be widely supported, support and encourage somebody/something, financially, generously, partially, help (to), through, financially, generously, partially, help (to), through, strongly, weakly, adequately, appear to, seem to, tend to, be supported by data, be supported by evidence, be well supported |
| Antonyms | - | oppose, hinder, neglect |
| Common mistakes | Using with a noun instead of a pronoun, like 'help the team out'., Confusing with 'help with', which means to assist in a specific task. | Confused with 'supplement', which means to add to something., Using 'support' as a noun without clarification (e.g. 'She gave support' is vague)., Mixing up 'support' and 'oppose'. |
| Usage notes | Use in casual contexts to offer assistance. Avoid in formal writing or speech. | This word can be used in many contexts like emotional support, financial help, or supporting a cause. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Help them out vs Support
What's the difference between Help them out and Support?
Help them out: To assist someone or make things easier for them. Support: To give help or assistance.
Which is more formal: Help them out and Support?
Support is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Help them out and Support?
Support is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Help them out: I can help them out with their homework this evening. Support: I want to support my friends in their endeavors.
Can I use Help them out and Support interchangeably?
Not always. Help them out and Support are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.