# assisting

/əˈsɪstɪŋ/ (US) · /ɐsˈɪstɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/assisting
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. helping someone

verb · CEFR B1

helping someone to do a job or task.

For teachers: the present participle of 'assist', used to describe the act of providing help or support to a person or process.

- She is currently assisting the doctor with the new patients.
- The legal team is assisting the lead counsel in preparing the complex documentation required for the upcoming trial.

Usage: Often followed by 'with' or 'in'.

### 2. the act of help

noun · CEFR B2

the act of giving help or support.

For teachers: the gerund form of 'assist', used as a noun to refer to the provision of aid or support.

- Assisting others can be a very rewarding experience.
- The policy focuses on assisting small businesses through low-interest loans and professional mentorship programs.

### 3. helpful

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic

providing help or acting as a support.

For teachers: functioning as an auxiliary or helpful agent; this usage is largely replaced by 'assistant' or 'auxiliary' in modern contexts.

- The assisting forces arrived just in time to help the village.
- In the old records, he was described as an assisting member of the local council, though his specific duties remained unclear.

Teaching tip: This adjective sense is archaic; modern speakers should use 'assistant' (e.g., an assistant manager) instead.

## Examples

- She is assisting the doctor with the surgery.
- The local police are currently assisting the federal agents in their investigation of the fraud case.
- By assisting the lead architect during the initial design phase, the intern gained invaluable insight into the complexities of urban planning and structural integrity.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.