For help/helping

[moseen]

Why in the first sentence, hasn't "help" "ing" but in the second one it has "ing"?

1. People ran screaming for help.
2.Thank you for helping me.

 

[emsr2d2]

In the first sentence, "help" is a noun. In the second, it's a verb form.

 

[moseen]

In the first sentence, "help" is a noun. In the second, it's a verb form.

Why in the first one, hasn't "help" any article, please?
Is "Thank you for the help" wrong or not?

 

[emsr2d2]

When you say "Thank you for the/your help", you are expressing your gratitude for a very specific example of help that has already been provided. You know who did it and what they did, so the definite article could be appropriate. Bear in mind, though, that we normally say "your help" in that phrase.

In "They ran screaming for help", they are looking for any help at all, from anyone. "Help" is an uncountable noun there.