Collocations with "Help" and "Support" in Everyday English

Collocations are words that frequently go together in English, and they help make speech and writing sound more natural.

Two common verbs we use in everyday conversation are “help” and “support.”

Understanding how to use these words in different combinations can improve your English and make your communication clearer and more fluent.

In this post, I will teach you some of the most common collocations with “help” and “support” in everyday English.

We’ll look at their meanings, provide examples, and give you some tips on how to use them in conversation.

Common Collocations with “Help”

Help someone out

Meaning: To assist someone with a difficult task or situation.

Example: “Can you help me out with these heavy bags?”

Help someone with something

Meaning: To provide assistance to someone in doing something.

Example: “I will help you with your homework later.”

Help someone to do something

Meaning: To assist someone in performing an action or task.

Example: “She helped me to finish the project on time.”

Help out with something

Meaning: To assist with a particular task or responsibility.

Example: “Can you help out with the decorations for the party?”

Help someone do something

Meaning: To assist someone in completing an action or task.

Example: “My friend helped me do the dishes after dinner.”

Help someone along

Meaning: To assist someone in progressing or moving forward.

Example: “He helped me along in my career by giving me valuable advice.”

Help someone to their feet

Meaning: To assist someone in standing up, often when they have fallen or are weak.

Example: “After he tripped, I helped him to his feet.”

Help someone with a problem

Meaning: To assist someone in solving an issue they are facing.

Example: “I helped him with his computer problem yesterday.”

Help someone recover

Meaning: To assist someone in getting better after an illness or difficult time.

Example: “The therapy helped her recover from the injury.”

Help someone make a decision

Meaning: To assist someone in choosing between options.

Example: “I can help you make a decision about which job to take.”

Common Collocations with “Support”

Provide support

Meaning: To give help or assistance to someone in need.

Example: “The community provided support to the victims of the flood.”

Offer support

Meaning: To make help or assistance available to someone.

Example: “I offered my support to my colleague who was feeling stressed.”

Show support

Meaning: To express or demonstrate help or encouragement.

Example: “The team showed support for their coach during the difficult time.”

Give support

Meaning: To provide help or assistance to someone in need.

Example: “She gave her support to the new charity project.”

Emotional support

Meaning: Help or encouragement that provides comfort and care during tough times.

Example: “She needed emotional support after the loss of her pet.”

Moral support

Meaning: Encouragement or help that is not physical but emotional or psychological.

Example: “He gave me moral support when I was nervous about the interview.”

Financial support

Meaning: Money or resources given to help someone or something.

Example: “They received financial support from their family to start the business.”

Support someone through something

Meaning: To help someone manage or cope with a difficult situation.

Example: “She supported her friend through a tough breakup.”

Strong support

Meaning: Significant or powerful assistance or encouragement.

Example: “The proposal received strong support from the community.”

Full support

Meaning: Complete or total assistance.

Example: “I have full support from my parents in this project.”

Key Differences Between “Help” and “Support”

While both “help” and “support” are often used to describe assisting someone, they are used in slightly different ways.

Help is more general and often refers to providing direct assistance or aid. It can be used in many contexts, from small tasks to major problems.

Example: “She helped me with my homework.”

Support, on the other hand, often implies a longer-term or more emotional form of assistance. It can also suggest encouragement and backing, both emotionally and practically.

Example: “My friends supported me during my job search.”

How to Use “Help” and “Support” in Conversation

Now that you know some of the most common collocations with “help” and “support,” let’s look at how to use them in everyday conversations.

1. Asking for Help

“Can you help me out with my project?”
“Could you help me with my homework later?”

2. Offering Help

“I’m happy to help you with your work.”
“Let me know if you need me to help you out.”

3. Asking for Support

“I really need some moral support before the big presentation.”
“Could you show your support by signing the petition?”

4. Offering Support

“If you need anything, I can offer my support.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be here to support you through this tough time.”

5. Giving Support

“I’m always here to give you support when you need it.”
“My family will give me support while I recover.”

6. Giving Emotional Support

“She gave me emotional support when I was feeling down.”
“It’s important to show emotional support to your friends.”

Tips for Using “Help” and “Support” Effectively

Choose the right word: When talking about general assistance, “help” is often more suitable. If you are referring to encouragement or long-term aid, “support” is a better choice.
Use them in the right context: “Help” is often used for tasks, while “support” is more common when referring to encouragement, both emotional and practical.
Understand the formality: “Support” can sound more formal than “help,” especially in phrases like “provide support” or “offer support.”
Use them together: Sometimes, “help” and “support” can be used in the same sentence, especially if you are referring to both practical and emotional assistance.
- Example: “He helped me with my presentation and offered emotional support when I was nervous.”

Conclusion

Collocations with “help” and “support” are common in everyday English and can greatly improve your fluency.

Whether you’re offering assistance, asking for help, or showing support, these collocations make your speech sound more natural.

Remember, “help” tends to refer to more direct or immediate aid, while “support” often involves longer-term or emotional encouragement.

By practicing these collocations in your conversations, you’ll be able to express yourself more clearly and effectively, making your English sound more like a native speaker’s.

Keep these collocations in mind and try using them in your next conversation!