Meaning & use
assisted
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Given help by another person, a tool or a system so that a task is possible or easier.
Grammar: Often joins a noun: computer-assisted, power-assisted.
Patterns
- assisted by something
- something-assisted
The patient took an assisted walk with a nurse beside her.
Power-assisted steering makes the car easier to turn.
The company uses computer-assisted design for its new models.
adjectivebefore a noun
Describing a service or home that gives residents help with daily needs.
Grammar: Fixed with living: assisted living.
Patterns
- assisted living
Her grandfather moved to an assisted living community last year.
The assisted housing project offers help with meals and medicine.
verbtransitive or intransitiveformal
Past tense and past participle of assist, meaning to help someone do something.
Grammar: Takes an object or a to-phrase: she assisted him; he assisted with the repairs.
Patterns
- assist someone with something
- assist in doing something
Two volunteers assisted the nurse during the clinic.
He assisted with the move by carrying boxes.
Her notes assisted the police in the investigation.
Common combinations
- assisted living
- My aunt prefers assisted living to staying alone.
- assisted suicide
- The debate over assisted suicide continues in parliament.
- computer-assisted
- Computer-assisted translation speeds up the work.
- assisted by
- The surgeon was assisted by two junior doctors.
- assisted reproduction
- Assisted reproduction has helped many couples.
- power-assisted
- The car has power-assisted brakes.
Synonyms and how they differ
- aided
- Aided is more formal and general, while assisted is more common in technical compounds and care settings.
- supported
- Supported suggests ongoing backing or emotional help, while assisted suggests help with a specific task.
- helped
- Helped is the everyday word and sounds less formal than assisted.
- supervised
- Supervised means watched or directed by someone, not necessarily given practical help.
Opposites
Word family
- assist verb
- to help someone do something
- assistance noun
- help or support
- assistant noun
- a person who helps another
- unassisted adjective
- done without help
Commonly confused: assisted or assisting?
assisted vs assisting
Assisting describes help being given now, while assisted describes help that was given or a condition of having help.
Practice
Which phrase means a home where older people get help with daily tasks?
Choose one answer.
Assisted living is the fixed phrase for supportive housing. The other combinations are not standard terms for this kind of care.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “assisted”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.