help
verb (used with object)
to give or provide what is necessary to accomplish a task or satisfy a need; contribute strength or means to; render assistance to; cooperate effectively with; aid; assist.
were helping
-
past progressiveof help.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"We think these kinds of magnetic fields were helping to move gas from the protoplanetary disk, in toward this central star, the sun," Borlina says.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 25, 2026
“I was worried about getting a crazy neighbor, but you seem great,” she added, hugging me tightly and handing me a tray of sandwiches to share with my friends who were helping with the move.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026
The defendants in the West Java case have argued they were "helping families" and were unaware that what they did was illegal.
From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026
She also said the chain’s younger consumers were helping to create and select the items sold under its Member’s Mark store brand.
From MarketWatch ● May 26, 2026
Now two men were helping Deenie Edwards through the doorway of the school.
From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez
