student asking question

I'm curious about the meaning of "help out". Is it different from just "help"?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

"Help out" is a more informal way to say "help", and it cannot not be used with infinitives. The phrasal verb "help out" cannot usually be followed by a verb. It is also normally used when referring to something that a person does, while "help" can also be used for objects or people. When used without an infinitive and when only talking about a person helping, "help out" and "help" are generally interchangeable. Ex: He is going to help out with some chores. Ex: She will help you move. Ex: This website should help you find what you're looking for.

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