Aid means help or to help. An aide is a person who assists someone, often as part of a job. The distinction is easiest to see in a classroom. A teaching aid is a tool, and a teaching aide is a helper.
Aid for help, aide for a helper
- “The fund provided aid to families after the storm.” Here aid is a noun for help or support.
- “Two interpreters aided the team during the interviews.” Here aided is the past tense of the verb aid.
- “The council member’s aide took notes during the meeting.” The aide is the assistant.
A teaching aid and a teaching aide
A teaching aid is a tool or resource, such as a chart. A teaching aide is a person who helps in the classroom. The same aid spelling appears in first aid and hearing aid.
Try it
“The teacher’s ___ brought a set of picture cards to use as a teaching ___.”
Show the answer
Use aide for the person and aid for the resource.
For more spelling choices that depend on meaning, see the guide to confusing words.
