What is assist? Pronunciation and usage in English

assist means . Learn how to pronounce and use assist through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of assist

assistverb

/əˈsɪst/
Definition & pronunciation of assist

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "assist" in English. It's a tricky one because it's commonly mispronounced! Here's a breakdown:

The Correct Pronunciation:

  • ih-SIST (rhymes with "kiss")

Let's break it down further:

  1. "i": Say the short "i" sound, like in "bit."
  2. "ss": This is the key! Don't say "s" twice. It's a single "s" sound. Think of it like "sis."
  3. "ist": These letters are pronounced as a single syllable, a blend of "ih" and "sist."

Common Mispronunciations and Why They're Wrong:

  • "uh-SIST" (like "assist" in "assist with") - This is extremely common and adds an "uh" sound before the "sist" part.
  • "uh-SIST" (like "assist" in "assist someone") - Another very common mistake.
  • "a-SIST" - This is a frequent error, where people drop the "i" and say "a-sist."

Tips for Getting it Right:


Do you want me to:

  • Record an example of the pronunciation?
  • Give you some practice words to try saying?

Usage and examples with the word assist in English

Let's break down how to use the word "assist" effectively in English. It's a versatile word with a few different nuances.

1. Basic Meaning: To Help

At its core, "assist" means to help someone with a task or activity. It’s a polite and often formal way to say "help."

  • Example: "I'd like to assist you with your luggage." (You're offering to help carry their bags.)
  • Example: "The nurse assisted the patient with getting out of bed." (The nurse helped the patient.)

2. As a Verb – Different Forms and Meanings

  • Assist (plain form): As shown above, this is the most common usage – to help.
  • Assisting: This is the present participle (used with –ing verbs).
    • Example: "She is assisting the coach with practice drills." (She's helping the coach during practice.)
  • Assistance: This is the noun form – the act of helping or the thing that helps.
    • Example: "We received valuable assistance from the volunteers." (The volunteers provided help.)
    • Example: "He needed some technical assistance with the software." (He needed help with the software.)

3. More Specific Uses

  • Professional Assistance: "He works as a legal assistant." (A person who supports a lawyer.)
  • Technical Assistance: "The IT department provided assistance with our network problems."
  • Military Assistance: “The army provided assistance to the local community after the flood.” (Offering aid or support)
  • Helping in a Meeting: “I can assist the chairman with organizing the agenda.” (To help in the work of a role, like chairman).

4. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings)

Here are some words you could use instead of "assist," depending on the context:

  • Help
  • Support
  • Aid
  • Contribute
  • Collaborate
  • Facilitate

5. How to Choose the Right Word

  • Formality: "Assist" is generally more formal than “help.”
  • Specificity: "Assist" can imply a more structured or supportive role than “help.” Think about whether you’re simply providing a little help, or taking on a more active role to make something happen.

Let's look at some examples to illustrate the different ways to use "assist":

  • Simple Help: “Can you assist me with opening this jar?”
  • Providing Resources: “The library provides research assistance to students.”
  • Working Together: "We need to assist each other to meet this deadline." (Meaning to support each other)

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about? (e.g., writing a formal email, describing a job, speaking conversationally?)
  • Could you give me an example sentence you're struggling with?

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