It Will Help vs. It Will Helps – Which is Correct?
When choosing between “it will help” and “it will helps,” use “it will help.” The modal auxiliary “will” must be followed by the base form of a verb, so “helps” is incorrect after “will.” Use “it helps” without “will” for present tense, or “it will help” for future meaning instead.
it will help or it will helps – Which is Correct?
“It will help” is correct. The word “will” is a modal auxiliary verb, and modal verbs must be followed by the base form of another verb. The base form is “help,” not “helps.” Therefore, “it will helps” is grammatically incorrect.
The incorrect version usually results from combining two different correct structures: it helps and it will help. The -s ending belongs to the present-tense form used with “it,” but it must be removed after “will.”
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the modal verb swap test: after words such as will, can, could, may, might, must, and should, use the plain verb without -s.
Compare it helps with it will help. If “will” appears, remove the -s. You would also say it can help, it might help, and it should help.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| it will help | Future verb phrase | It is expected to be useful in the future. | This advice will help you prepare. |
| it will helps | Incorrect construction | Not standard English because “will” requires the base verb. | Do not write: This advice will helps you. |
How to Use it will help
Use it will help to say that something is expected to be useful, beneficial, or effective in the future. The phrase can refer to physical assistance, problem-solving, improvement, or emotional support. It is natural in casual, academic, professional, and formal writing.
The structure is:
Subject + will + base verb
In this phrase, it is the subject, will expresses future time or expectation, and help is the base-form verb.
Example 1: A short break will help you concentrate.
Example 2: This explanation will help students understand the rule.
Example 3: Updating the software will help prevent future errors.
Etymology of the phrase it will help
The phrase combines three older English elements. It developed from an Old English pronoun used for referring to things or situations. Will comes from an Old English verb associated with desire or intention and gradually became a marker of future time. Help comes from Old English helpan, meaning to assist or aid.
Related Concepts
Understanding modal verbs and subject-verb agreement makes the difference between it will help and it will helps easy to recognize.
- Modal auxiliary verbs: Words such as will, can, may, and should express possibility, ability, advice, obligation, or future time. They are followed by a base-form verb.
- Base-form verbs: The base form is the simplest form of a verb, such as help, go, or write. It follows modal verbs even when the subject is he, she, or it.
- Subject-verb agreement: In the simple present, a singular third-person subject usually takes a verb ending in -s, as in it helps. This rule does not apply after a modal verb.
- Future simple tense: The future simple commonly uses will + base verb, as in it will help, she will explain, and they will arrive.
Examples from Media and Literature
The correct construction it will help commonly appears in advice, dialogue, instructional writing, and descriptions of future benefits.
- Self-help writing: A guide may explain that creating a daily routine will help readers reach their goals.
- News reporting: A report may state that a new public transport route will help reduce traffic congestion.
- Science writing: An article may describe how a particular treatment will help researchers understand a disease.
- Film dialogue: A character might reassure another character by saying that a careful plan will help them escape a difficult situation.
- Children’s literature: A story may show a character learning that teamwork will help the group solve a problem.
it will help Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| it will assist | It will provide support or aid; slightly more formal than “it will help.” |
| it will benefit | It will produce a positive result or advantage. |
| it will support | It will strengthen, maintain, or aid someone or something. |
| it will make a difference | It will have a noticeable positive effect. |
| it will be useful | It will have practical value or serve a helpful purpose. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “it will help” or “it will helps” correct?
“It will help” is correct. The modal verb “will” must be followed by the base form “help,” not “helps.”
Question 2: Why is “it helps” correct but “it will helps” incorrect?
“It helps” is simple present tense, so the singular subject “it” takes the -s ending. In “it will help,” the modal verb “will” controls the verb form, so the base form “help” is required.
Question 3: Can “will help” be used in formal writing?
Yes. “Will help” is appropriate in formal and informal writing, including business emails, academic essays, reports, instructions, and everyday conversation.
Conclusion
Choose it will help, not it will helps. After the modal auxiliary will, always use the base form of the verb. Use it helps for a present-tense statement and it will help for a future result. Pro tip: Using the correct form in professional writing strengthens your credibility and demonstrates careful attention to grammar.
