"help do" vs "help to do"

Question

"help do" vs "help to do"

Both "help to do" and "help do" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Help to do" is used when the verb following "to" needs to be in the infinitive form, while "help do" is used when the verb following "do" is in the base form. The choice between the two depends on the verb that follows.

Last Updated: March 19, 2024

Use 'help do' when the verb that follows 'do' is in the base form. For example, 'She helped clean the house.'

Examples:

He helped carry the bags.
She always helps organize events.
They helped build the new playground.
I need someone to help finish this project.
The teacher helped explain the difficult concept.

Alternatives:

assist in doing
aid in doing
support in doing
aid to do
assist to do

Use 'help to do' when the verb that follows 'to' needs to be in the infinitive form. For example, 'She helped to clean the house.'

Examples:

He helped to carry the bags.
She always helps to organize events.
They helped to build the new playground.
I need someone to help to finish this project.
The teacher helped to explain the difficult concept.

Alternatives:

assist in doing
aid in doing
support in doing
aid to do
assist to do

Answer 1

help do

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when the verb following 'do' is in the base form.

Answer 2

help to do

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when the verb following 'to' needs to be in the infinitive form.

"help do" vs "help to do"

help do

help to do

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