helpfulness

helpfulness — noun

1. how useful or practically effective something or someone proves to be when assis

1.名詞B2
釋義

how useful or practically effective something or someone proves to be when assistance is needed

例句

The helpfulness of the online guide made planning the trip much easier for Wei.

collocation: the helpfulness of [noun phrase]

Élise appreciated the helpfulness of the library staff, who found every book she needed.

同義詞
  • usefulness

    focuses on practical value rather than active assistance; a tool can be useful without helping you directly

  • assistance

    refers to the act or process of helping, not a quality

  • benefit

    emphasises the positive effect on the receiver, not the quality of the helper

反義詞

文法句型

the helpfulness of [noun phrase]

用法筆記

Frequently followed by an 'of'-phrase naming the person, tool, or service that provides the assistance. This sense focuses on the practical outcome of being helped, not on a person's character.

常見錯誤

❌I appreciate your helpfulness in carrying my bags.
✅I appreciate your help in carrying my bags.
💡'helpfulness' is a quality; 'help' is the actual act of assisting.
❌The teacher's helpfulness of explaining the lesson was clear.
✅The helpfulness of the teacher's explanation was clear.
💡'helpfulness of' is followed by the source of help, not the action.

2. a personal quality of being naturally willing and happy to help other people, wi

2.名詞B2
釋義

a personal quality of being naturally willing and happy to help other people, without needing to be asked

例句

Felipe's helpfulness made him a favourite among classmates who could always count on him.

possessive + helpfulness to describe a personal quality

Shanti's helpfulness around the office earned her the Employee of the Month award.

同義詞
  • kindness

    broader — includes emotional warmth, not just active help

  • generosity

    often involves giving time or resources, not just willingness to assist

  • thoughtfulness

    emphasises anticipating others' needs before they ask

反義詞

文法句型

possessive + helpfulness

helpfulness + towards/in

用法筆記

Describes a person's character or habitual nature, not a single helpful action. Distinguish from sense 1 (USEFUL ASSISTANCE): sense 1 refers to how useful something or someone is in a given situation, while this sense refers to a general willingness to help as part of someone's personality.

常見錯誤

❌The door's helpfulness is that it opens automatically.
✅The helpful feature of the door is that it opens automatically.
💡'helpfulness' as a personal quality applies to people, not objects.
❌He showed helpfulness when he gave me a ride yesterday.
✅He showed his helpful nature when he gave me a ride yesterday.
💡a single kind act shows the quality; the quality itself is the tendency, not the act.