previous / next

assistance   —   assistants

[different end pronunciation]

“Assistance” means ‘help or support, either manual (physical) or financial (money) or technical (knowledge)’,

e.g.

He came to my assistance.

[i.e. he helped or supported me when I was in troubles]

“Assistants” are ‘helpers – people who help others, as in a job, for money’,

e.g.

I need two assistants to complete this work in time.

She is our assistant manger; she is in change of the office when the manager is away.

An ‘assistant’ can be a person who serves customers in a shop, and in this context the American English variant is a “clerk”.

<<< Back to List A

<<< Back to main page /  Next assure ~ ensure >>>