help somebody to do vs help somebody do something vs help somebody in doing something

[MBALOVER]

Hi all,

Could you please tell me the differences between three usages?

1. help somebody to do something
2. help somebody do something
3 help somebody in doing something

Also, I am wondering if it is possible to say help somebody doing
something.

Thank you.

[Marius Hancu]

I'd use much shorter titles.

Marius Hancu

[Don Phillipson]

"MBALOVER" <mbal...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:d04bf842-fc60-4cb3...@d12g2000prg.googlegroups.com...

Yes, all four variants are good grammar and good syntax.
They mean for practical purposes the same. This variety is
normal in the English language.

No rules of grammar or syntax either demonstrate a difference
in meaning or justify preferring one form to another. This is
normal in English. We can often justify a preference or demonstrate
a difference in meaning, but only by elaboration of the context, in
individual ways (that suggest no general rules). This is normal in English.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

[MBALOVER]

On Nov 25, 6:47 am, "Don Phillipson" <e...@SPAMBLOCK.ncf.ca> wrote:
> "MBALOVER" <mbalov...@gmail.com> wrote in message

Thanks Don.

However, I remember when I was at school, I was taught that they are
different in usages. Specifically, one is used when the helper will do
totally the work instead of the person who asks for help. Another one
is used when the helper will do the work together with the person who
asks for help. But I do not remember which is which.

Can you please confirm if the above is correct or not?

Thanks

[John Varela]

On Fri, 25 Nov 2011 23:43:32 UTC, MBALOVER <mbal...@gmail.com>
wrote:

That would be "help somebody *by* doing something".

> Another one
> is used when the helper will do the work together with the person who
> asks for help. But I do not remember which is which.

Your three examples all mean this.

--
John Varela

[MBALOVER]

On Nov 27, 9:11 am, "John Varela" <newla...@verizon.net> wrote:
> On Fri, 25 Nov 2011 23:43:32 UTC, MBALOVER <mbalov...@gmail.com>

> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Nov 25, 6:47 am, "Don Phillipson" <e...@SPAMBLOCK.ncf.ca> wrote:
> > > "MBALOVER" <mbalov...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> > >news:d04bf842-fc60-4cb3...@d12g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
>
> > > > Could you please tell me the differences between three usages?
>
> > > > 1.helpsomebodyto do something
> > > > 2.helpsomebodydo something

> > > > 3  helpsomebodyin doing something

>
> > > > Also, I am wondering if it is possible to sayhelpsomebodydoing
> > > > something.
>
> > > Yes, all four variants are good grammar and good syntax.
> > > They mean for practical purposes the same.   This variety is
> > > normal in the English language.
>
> > > No rules of grammar or syntax either demonstrate a difference
> > > in meaning or justify preferring one form to another.   This is
> > > normal in English.   We can often justify a preference or demonstrate
> > > a difference in meaning, but only by elaboration of the context, in
> > > individual ways (that suggest no general rules).  This is normal in English.
>
> > > --
> > > Don Phillipson
> > > Carlsbad Springs
> > > (Ottawa, Canada)
>
> > Thanks Don.
>
> > However, I remember when I was at school, I was taught that they are
> > different in usages. Specifically, one is used when the helper will do
> > totally the work instead of the person who asks forhelp.
>

> That would be "helpsomebody*by* doing something".

>
> > Another one
> > is used when the helper will do the work together with the person who

> > asks forhelp. But I do not remember which is which.

>
> Your three examples all mean this.
>
> --

> John Varela- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -


Thanks John. Is there any usage of help for the former meaning? (i.e.
somebody will do all of the work insteand of the person how ask for
help )

Thank you.

[John Varela]

On Sun, 27 Nov 2011 17:24:00 UTC, MBALOVER <mbal...@gmail.com>
wrote:

Yes: "help somebody *by* doing something".

--
John Varela