aid、assist与help这些动词均有“帮助”之意。
aid :正式用词,指帮助他人脱离危险或战胜困难,着重强者对急需帮助的弱者的帮助。
- One of the staff saw he was in difficulty and came to his aid.
一名工作人员见他有困难,便过来帮忙。
assist :强调在提供帮助时,以受助者为主,所给的帮助起第二位或从属的作用。
- Julia was assisting him to prepare his speech.
朱莉娅正在帮他准备讲演稿。 - We will assist you in finding somewhere to live.
我们将帮你找个住的地方。
help :最普通用词,含义广泛。指一般性的或迫切需要的帮助,侧重积极地为他人提供物质、精神或其他方面的帮助。
- He always helps with the housework.
他总是帮着做家务。 - I need contacts that could help in finding a job.
我需要能帮我找到工作的社会关系。