word-vault

{ "term": "help", "partOfSpeech": "verb", "ox3000": true, "cefr": "a1", "verbForms": { "presentSimple": { "iYouWeThey": "help", "heSheIt": "helps" }, "pastSimple": "helped", "pastParticiple": "helped", "ingForm": "helping" }, "definitions": [ { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "to make it easier or possible for somebody to do something by doing something for them or by giving them something that they need", "sensetop": "help with somethinghelp somebodyhelp somebody with somethinghelp in doing somethinghelp somebody (to) do somethinghelp (to) do something", "labels": "(informal or North American English)(British English or formal, North American English)", "cefr": "a1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "What can I do to help?" }, { "text": "I was only **trying to help**!" }, { "text": "He always helps with the housework.", "contextForm": "help with something" }, { "text": "They are trying their best to do a good job and help others.", "contextForm": "help somebody" }, { "text": "Jo will help us with some of the organization.", "contextForm": "help somebody with something" }, { "text": "Following these steps will help in protecting our environment.", "contextForm": "help in doing something" }, { "text": "Come and help me lift this box.", "contextForm": "help somebody (to) do something" }, { "text": "This charity aims to help people to help themselves." }, { "text": "The college's aim is to help students achieve their aspirations." }, { "text": "She helped organize the party.", "contextForm": "help (to) do something" }, { "text": "Some history may help to explain why this is." }, { "text": "I'm afraid I can't help you." }, { "text": "My mother helps me a lot." }, { "text": "Talking to a counsellor helped her enormously." }, { "text": "The minimum wage is designed to help people in low-pay service industries." }, { "text": "Can you help me with my homework?" }, { "text": "Many people inadvertently help thieves by leaving keys in full view." }, { "text": "He had actively helped many prisoners to escape." }, { "text": "Lavender oil supposedly helps you sleep." }, { "text": "The exhibition helped her establish herself as an artist." }, { "text": "Therapy helped her overcome her fear." }, { "text": "We were given clues to help us solve the puzzle." }, { "text": "I need contacts that could help in finding a job." }, { "text": "We must all try and help each other." }, { "text": "Many people are willing to give their own time to help the community." }, { "text": "The students helped to raise £750 for the national appeal." }, { "text": "We're helping to create a healthier, better future for everyone." } ], "topics": ["Social issues"], "collocations": { "adverb": ["a lot", "a bit", "a little"], "verb + help": ["be able to", "can", "be unable to"], "preposition": ["across", "into", "out of"], "phrases": ["help somebody to their feet", "a way of helping"] } }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "to improve a situation; to make it easier for something to happen", "sensetop": "it helps (doing something)it helps that…help towards somethinghelp somethinghelp (to) do something", "cefr": "a2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "The support of our families has **helped enormously**." }, { "text": "It helped being able to talk about it.", "contextForm": "it helps (doing something)" }, { "text": "It **certainly helped** that her father is a duke!", "contextForm": "it helps that…" }, { "text": "The money raised will help towards *(= partly pay for)* the cost of organizing the championships.", "contextForm": "help towards something" }, { "text": "It doesn't really **help matters** knowing that everyone is talking about us.", "contextForm": "help something" }, { "text": "This should help to reduce the pain.", "contextForm": "help (to) do something" }, { "text": "We need new measures to help fight terrorism." }, { "text": "His statement hardly helped his case." }, { "text": "The music really helps the scene work." }, { "text": "I thought a walk would help somehow." }, { "text": "Intense guilt won't necessarily help here." }, { "text": "The whole process was greatly helped by the widespread availability of computers." }, { "text": "Correct breathing helps to clear the mind and reduce tension." }, { "text": "The new service helped boost pre-tax profits by 10%." }, { "text": "The study of the present also helps to illuminate the past." }, { "text": "Think of some questions that will help focus the discussion." }, { "text": "Iron helps in the formation of red blood cells." }, { "text": "It helps immensely that he has cast good actors." }, { "text": "efforts to help bridge the gap between those who have access to the internet and those who don't" } ], "collocations": { "adverb": ["considerably", "dramatically", "enormously"], "verb + help": ["be designed to"], "preposition": ["in"] } }, { "senseNumber": 3, "definition": "to help somebody move or do some other action by letting them lean on you, guiding them, etc.", "sensetop": "help somebody + adv./prep.", "examples": [ { "text": "She helped him to his feet." }, { "text": "We were helped ashore by local people." }, { "text": "He gently helped her back into the chair." }, { "text": "She helped the man out of the car." }, { "text": "I helped her across the road." } ], "collocations": { "adverb": ["a lot", "a bit", "a little"], "verb + help": ["be able to", "can", "be unable to"], "preposition": ["across", "into", "out of"], "phrases": ["help somebody to their feet", "a way of helping"] } }, { "senseNumber": 4, "definition": "to give yourself/somebody food, drinks, etc.", "sensetop": "help yourselfhelp yourself/somebody to something", "cefr": "b1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "If you want another drink, just help yourself.", "contextForm": "help yourself" }, { "text": "Can I help you to some more salad?", "contextForm": "help yourself/somebody to something" } ] }, { "senseNumber": 5, "definition": "to take something without permission", "sensetop": "help yourself to something", "labels": "(informal, disapproving)", "examples": [ { "text": "He'd been helping himself to the money in the cash register." } ], "synonyms": "steal" }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "used to say that it is impossible to prevent or avoid something", "examples": [ { "text": "I can't help thinking he knows more than he has told us." }, { "text": "He can’t help being shy." }, { "text": "She couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking." }, { "text": "**It couldn't be helped** *(= there was no way of avoiding it and we must accept it)*." }, { "text": "He never does more work than he can help *(= he does as little as possible)*." }, { "text": "I always end up having an argument with her, I don't know why, I just **can't help it**." }, { "text": "I couldn't help it if the bus was late *(= it wasn't my fault)*." }, { "text": "She burst out laughing—she **couldn't help herself** *(= couldn't stop herself)*." }, { "text": "She won’t be invited again, **not if I can help it** *(= if I can do anything to prevent it)*." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to help somebody", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "used to say that you are afraid somebody will be in danger or that something bad will happen to them", "labels": "(informal)", "examples": [ { "text": "God help us if this doesn't work." } ], "topics": ["Danger"] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "used to swear that what you are saying is true, especially in a court of law", "examples": [] } ], "pronunciations": { "uk": [ { "pronunciation": "/help/", "audio": "he/help/help__gb_1.mp3" }, { "pronunciation": "/helps/", "audio": "he/help/helps__gb_1.mp3" }, { "pronunciation": "/helpt/", "audio": "he/help/helped__gb_1.mp3" }, { "pronunciation": "/ˈhelpɪŋ/", "audio": "he/help/helping__gb_2.mp3" } ], "us": [ { "pronunciation": "/help/", "audio": "he/help/help__us_1.mp3" }, { "pronunciation": "/helps/", "audio": "he/help/helps__us_1.mp3" }, { "pronunciation": "/helpt/", "audio": "he/help/helped__us_1.mp3" }, { "pronunciation": "/ˈhelpɪŋ/", "audio": "he/help/helping__us_2.mp3" } ] }, "wordOrigin": "Old English helpan (verb), help (noun), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch helpen and German helfen." }