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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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You've been a great help

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'You've been a great help' is correct and usable in written English
You can use this sentence when you want to express your appreciation for someone's assistance with a task or project. For example: "Thank you for helping me with my presentation. You've been a great help!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

You've been a great help when I needed it most".

News & Media

The New Yorker

Mr. Nungesser thanked Mr. Cooper in the appearance on CNN that night, saying "you've been a great help here".

News & Media

The New York Times

So DragonBone, true to its roots, gives you little more than "Thanks a lot; you've been a great help -- we'll call you if we need anything else".

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"They've been a great help".

Mary has been a great help, so understanding, so helpful.

News & Media

The New York Times

"My support system has been a great help.

News & Media

The New York Times

Openness has been a great help to me personally.

When I've been in trouble, my friends have been a great help.

News & Media

The New Yorker

The stalwart Gus and so many happy memories have been a great help.

News & Media

The New York Times

But it has been a great help to me through my life.

News & Media

The Guardian

He [Frankel] has been a great help to me".

News & Media

BBC
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

Use this phrase to sincerely acknowledge someone's contribution; be specific about what they helped you with to make your gratitude more meaningful.

⚠ Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, avoid using this phrase excessively in casual conversation where simpler expressions of thanks might be more natural. For example, "Thanks a lot!" or "I appreciate it!"

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you've been a great help" functions as an expression of gratitude. It acknowledges someone's contribution or assistance and conveys appreciation for their efforts. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

✓ Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

⚠ Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "you've been a great help" is a common and grammatically sound way to express gratitude for someone's assistance. Ludwig highlights its versatility, noting its appropriateness in diverse contexts from news reporting to everyday conversation. While versatile, users should be mindful of formality and choose more specific expressions in highly formal environments or simpler thanks in overly casual situations. With a neutral register and widespread use, this phrase is a reliable option for conveying appreciation.

FAQs

How can I express gratitude similarly to "you've been a great help"?

You can use alternatives such as "I appreciate your assistance", "I'm grateful for your help", or "your assistance was invaluable" to convey a similar sentiment of thankfulness.

Is "you've been a great help" suitable for formal communication?

Yes, "you've been a great help" is generally suitable for formal communication, especially when acknowledging someone's significant contribution. However, more formal alternatives like "I appreciate your assistance" may be preferred in very formal settings.

What's the difference between "you've been a great help" and "you were a great help"?

The phrase "you've been a great help" implies ongoing or recently completed assistance, whereas "you were a great help" typically refers to assistance provided in the past. The former is present perfect, while the latter is simple past.

When is it appropriate to use "you have been a great help" instead of "you've been a great help"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and essentially interchangeable. "You've been a great help" is a contraction of "you have been a great help", and the choice between them often comes down to personal preference or the desired level of formality. The contracted form is slightly more informal.

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: