Many English learners often wonder whether to use “help” or “help to” in their sentences. While both forms are correct, there are some subtle differences in usage that can affect the meaning of the sentence. Understanding these differences can help learners use the correct form in the right context.
The main difference between “help” and “help to” is that “help” is followed by a bare infinitive, while “help to” is followed by a to-infinitive. In other words, “help” is used when the verb that follows it is in its base form (without “to”), while “help to” is used when the verb is in its to-infinitive form.
While the difference may seem minor, it can have an impact on the meaning of the sentence. In some cases, using “help to” can suggest a more active role in the action being performed, while using “help” alone can suggest a more passive role.
Definition
Help
Help is a verb that means to give assistance or support to someone or to provide someone with something that is useful or necessary in achieving an end. It can also mean to contribute to the furtherance of something.
For example, “I helped my neighbor carry his groceries” or “The donation will help fund cancer research.”
Help to
Help to is a variation of the verb help that includes the preposition “to.” It can be used interchangeably with help without changing the meaning of the sentence.
For example, “I helped my sister clean her room” and “I helped to clean my sister’s room” mean the same thing.
However, in some cases, using “help to” can make the sentence sound more formal or emphasize the action being taken.
For example, “I helped my friend move” sounds more casual than “I helped to move my friend’s furniture.”
Overall, both “help” and “help to” are correct and can be used depending on personal preference or the desired tone of the sentence.
Usage
Examples of using Help
The verb “help” can be used with or without the preposition “to”. Here are some examples of using “help” without “to”:
- Can you help me with my homework?
- She helped him carry the boxes.
- He always helps his coworkers when they need assistance.
In these examples, the meaning of “help” is to assist or support someone in doing something.
Examples of using Help to
Here are some examples of using “help” with “to”:
- Can you help me to understand this concept?
- She helped him to find his lost keys.
- He is helping his daughter to learn how to ride a bike.
In these examples, the meaning of “help to” is the same as “help” without “to”. The preposition “to” is optional and does not change the meaning of the sentence.
It is worth noting that in some cases, using “help to” can sound more formal or polite. For example, “Can you help me to understand this concept?” may sound more polite than “Can you help me understand this concept?”
However, in informal or casual settings, it is common to use “help” without “to”. For example, “Can you help me move this couch?” sounds more natural than “Can you help me to move this couch?”
Grammar Rules
When to use Help
The verb “help” is used when the following verb is in the base form (infinitive without “to”). For example:
- Can you help me carry these boxes?
- I helped my sister bake a cake.
- He always helps his neighbors with their gardening.
It is important to note that “help” can be used with or without an object. When used without an object, it means to assist or support someone. When used with an object, it means to assist someone in doing something.
When to use Help to
The verb “help” is used with “to” when the following verb is in the infinitive form with “to”. For example:
- Can you help me to carry these boxes?
- I helped my sister to bake a cake.
- He always helps his neighbors to do their gardening.
The reality is that there is no significant difference between “help” and “help to” but there may be some slight differences in emphasis and meaning.