Homophones for assistance, assistants

assistance / assistants [əˈsɪstən(t)s]

assistance – n. – an act of help given

assistants – n. pl. of assistant – helpers


Discussion

Although these two nouns have similar meanings and sound the same, they are not interchangeable. The one is singular and the second plural.

Some think of themselves as ‘self-made’ and pretend that they have had no assistance  in achieving their goals.

Although this attitude may make one shake their head, the reality is that all people require assistance to live. Even hermits have had assistants along the way.

They may have been parents, friends, neighbours, casual acquaintances or even non-human such as the ravens who brought food to the prophet Elijah during the drought.

But whomever they were, they existed. The helpfulness of what they gave may be questioned, but the existence of it cannot.

A deeper reflection on the difference between these two nouns could easily lead a person to a recognition of how much help they have been given and are being given. This in turn, could generate deeper gratitude.

Who do you think of as your assistants? Where can you give assistance?