a useful development

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a useful development" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a progress or change that has practical benefits or advantages. Example: "The introduction of renewable energy sources has been a useful development in our efforts to combat climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Most N/HMPs (70%) identified a need for a national CAM research unit in NZ, which was seen as a useful development to help provide guidance regarding: funding sources and opportunities (58%); developing study protocols and designs (54%); research methodology (51%); networking (50%); and collaboration (48%).

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

That stock markets have remained fairly steady during the dollar's long decline, notwithstanding yesterday's activity, may also hint that investors see the depreciation as, on balance, a useful development.

The New York Times

In "Learning From Litigation" (Op-Ed, May 17), Prof. Joanna C. Schwartz takes a useful development — that hospitals are starting to be more open about their mistakes — and leaps to the conclusion that there's no reason to create a more reliable system of malpractice litigation.

The New York Times

It demonstrates that the matlab Simulink development system integrated with the TMS320C30-EVM provides a useful development tool for design verification of DSP algorithms.

Microprocessors and Microsystems

In-vitro models provide a useful development tool for the rapid assessment of design modifications, while controlling many factors that confound in-vivo studies, but the relevance of their findings needs to be confirmed in the clinical situation by direct improvements in oral health.

Journal of Dentistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Therefore, our model suggests that a drug capable of increasing the rate of EGFR degradation or capable of somehow tagging mutated EGFRs for degradation could be a useful developments in cancer treatment.

BMC Systems Biology

Therefore, our model suggests that a drug capable of increasing the rate of EGFR degradation or capable of somehow tagging mutated EGFRs for degradation could also be a useful developments in cancer treatment.

BMC Systems Biology

That would be a significant and useful development – but one which easily could be opposed by some within Whitehall.

The Guardian

Although this is not the first nanonecklace ever made, the new process provides a more general and controllable way of synthesizing such nanomaterials a useful development, because manipulating materials on such tiny scales is a challenge.

Science Magazine

Rising American energy output is a useful macroeconomic development.

The Economist

28 Insightful practice is arguably a useful conceptual development, which both lends itself to the reliable measurement of objective outcomes and combines the subjective consideration of self-perceptions with the reflections and facilitation by others on needed insight for improvement.

BMJ Quality and Safety

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse; while grammatically sound, varying your phrasing can make your writing more engaging.

Common error

Avoid using "a useful development" as a generic compliment. Always provide context and reasons why the development is useful. For example, instead of saying "The new software is a useful development", specify: "The new software, with its automated reporting feature, is a useful development for streamlining our data analysis process."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a useful development" functions as a noun phrase with an adjective modifier. It typically serves to identify and characterize a particular change or advancement as being beneficial or advantageous. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a useful development" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, albeit somewhat rare in its occurrence. According to Ludwig AI, it describes progress or a change that offers practical advantages. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related contexts, it serves to positively evaluate an advancement or innovation. When using this phrase, ensure you provide specific details about why the development is considered useful. Consider using alternative expressions like "a beneficial advancement" or "a valuable improvement" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a beneficial advancement

Emphasizes the positive impact and forward movement aspect.

a valuable improvement

Highlights the worth and enhancement brought about by the development.

a helpful innovation

Focuses on the supportive and novel nature of the development.

a constructive change

Underscores the positive and building effect of the change.

a practical step forward

Highlights the realistic and progressive nature of the development.

a significant breakthrough

Emphasizes the importance and sudden progress achieved.

a positive transformation

Focuses on the beneficial and comprehensive change.

a welcome addition

Highlights the acceptance and favorable reception of the development.

an advantageous alteration

Stresses the favorable and modified state resulting from the development.

a promising trend

Focuses on the potential and direction indicated by the development.

FAQs

What does "a useful development" mean?

The phrase "a useful development" refers to a new advancement, change, or innovation that provides practical benefits or advantages. It implies that something has progressed in a helpful or valuable way.

What can I say instead of "a useful development"?

You can use alternatives like "a beneficial advancement", "a valuable improvement", or "a helpful innovation" depending on the context.

How can I use "a useful development" in a sentence?

You can use "a useful development" to describe a positive change or innovation. For example: "The implementation of the new system has been a useful development for increasing efficiency".

Is "a useful developments" grammatically correct?

No, "a useful developments" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "a useful development" when referring to a single instance. If referring to multiple instances, use "useful developments" without the article "a".