What are the definitions of “help out”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Give assistance.
She really HELPED me OUT when I was going through my divorce.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “help out”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb help out is to give assistance or support to someone, especially in a difficult situation. It means to lend a hand or make things easier for someone.
What are the different verb forms of “help out”?
| Root Verb | help out |
| Third Person Singular Present | helps out |
| Present Participle | helping out |
| Simple Past | helped out |
| Past Participle | helped out |
Example
Can you help out with the party preparations?
Example
She always helps out her neighbors when they need it.
Example
He is helping out at the community center this weekend.
Example
They helped out their friend when he was moving to a new apartment.
Example
I have helped out at the local food bank several times.
What kind of phrasal verb is “help out”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“help out” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She helped out her friend during the difficult times.
Example
He helped his brother out with his homework.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“help out” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She helped out her friend during the difficult times.
Example
He helped his brother out with his homework.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “help out”?
Good things to know
Does “help out” have an informal or formal tone?
Help out is a neutral to informal phrasal verb. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can be used in both casual and more formal settings, depending on the context. In more formal situations, you might use words like 'assist' or 'support' instead.
