Cool MateAssist vs Help them out
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Assist
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
Help them out
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: AssistMost common: Assist
| Assist | Help them out | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈsɪst/","/əˈsɪsts/","/əˈsɪstɪd/","/əˈsɪstɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈsɪst/","/əˈsɪsts/","/əˈsɪstɪd/","/əˈsɪstɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //hɛlp ðɛm aʊt//🇺🇸 //hɛlp ðɛm aʊt// |
| Meaning | To help someone with something. | To assist someone or make things easier for them. |
| Example | I will assist you with your homework tonight. | I can help them out with their homework this evening. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | greatly, materially, ably, be designed to, in, with | help someone out, help them out with something, help out a friend, help out in any way, help them out of a situation |
| Antonyms | hinder, impede, obstruct | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'assist' without an object (e.g., 'I assist.' should be 'I assist you.')., Confusing 'assist' with 'resist' due to similar spelling., Incorrectly using 'assist' in a passive sentence without context. | 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. |
| Usage notes | Use 'assist' in places where help is provided. It is suitable for both written and spoken contexts, often used in professional settings. Avoid in casual conversations where simpler terms like 'help' may be preferred. | Use in casual contexts to offer assistance. Avoid in formal writing or speech. |
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Frequently asked questions: Assist vs Help them out
What's the difference between Assist and Help them out?
Assist: To help someone with something. Help them out: To assist someone or make things easier for them.
Which is more formal: Assist and Help them out?
Assist is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Assist and Help them out?
Assist is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Assist: I will assist you with your homework tonight. Help them out: I can help them out with their homework this evening.
Can I use Assist and Help them out interchangeably?
Not always. Assist and Help them out 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.