a useful form

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a useful form" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a type or format that serves a practical purpose or is beneficial in a specific context. Example: "This document provides a useful form for collecting feedback from participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Case-study is thus a useful form of research in such circumstances given that they can be used, 'to investigate a contemporary phenomenon within its real-life context, especially when the boundaries between phenomenon and context are not clearly evident' (Yin 2003, p. 13).

Advances in Health Sciences Education

For Mr Mallya cricket is a useful form of marketing.

The Economist

The second hurdle -- and it's often the most difficult -- is to process the materials into a useful form".

The New York Times - Science

There's nothing unusual about partisans of the Bush administration defending waterboarding as a useful form of "enhanced interrogation".

The New York Times

The corporate letter is a useful form of storytelling and of self-definition, but modern leaders of companies have other tools at their disposal.

The New Yorker

Fortunately for those who use codes to maintain secrets, we also learn that Q.C. does not exist yet, at least not in a useful form.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

MX would thus form a useful class of agents adjuvant to conventional anti-cancer drugs.

British Journal of Cancer

Milk and by-products of milk production are often dried to reduce weight, to aid in shipping, to extend shelf life, and to provide a more useful form as an ingredient for other foods.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In both games, there are many circumstances when a previous item can be upgraded into a more useful form.

Wikipedia

Instead, the marginal war critic would typically prefer to have his or her say by pushing the Administration to adopt a different course of action, rather than explicitly mandating it (although the threat of a mandate is often an extremely useful form of pushing).

Huffington Post

Better, perhaps, to teach a more useful form of thinking.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or method, use "a useful form" to highlight its practicality and efficiency. For example, "Case studies are a useful form of research for exploring complex phenomena."

Common error

Avoid using "a useful form" as a generic descriptor. Instead, specify how it is useful. For example, instead of saying "This is a useful form", say "This is a useful form for data collection because it is easily adaptable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a useful form" typically functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase describing a noun. It indicates that the noun it modifies possesses a beneficial or practical quality. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and varied usage across several contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a useful form" is a grammatically correct and versatile way to describe something beneficial or practical. As shown in the Ludwig AI examples, it appears frequently in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts. To enhance clarity, avoid overuse without specific context. The phrase serves to highlight the value of formats, methods, or tools, making it a common choice for describing processes or approaches. Alternatives such as "a practical format", "a helpful method", and "a valuable tool" can be used to provide more specific nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a practical format

Focuses on the practicality of the structure rather than its general utility.

a helpful method

Highlights the assistance provided by the method, shifting the focus from the form itself.

a valuable tool

Emphasizes the worth or importance of the tool, suggesting a higher level of benefit.

an effective means

Indicates that the method achieves a desired result, emphasizing effectiveness.

a beneficial approach

Suggests that the approach leads to positive outcomes, stressing the advantages.

a convenient system

Stresses the ease and accessibility of the system, focusing on user-friendliness.

an advantageous design

Highlights the favorable aspects of the design, emphasizing the benefits it provides.

a constructive strategy

Focuses on the positive and productive nature of the strategy.

a functional model

Emphasizes the working aspects of the model, focusing on its operational capability.

an applicable solution

Highlights that the solution is relevant and can be readily applied to a specific situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a useful form" to describe something that provides a benefit or serves a practical purpose. For instance, "This software offers "a useful form" of data analysis".

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

Alternatives include phrases like "a practical format", "a helpful method", or "a valuable tool", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a useful form" or should I use another phrasing?

"A useful form" is correct. However, consider specifying how something is useful for better clarity. You might find other alternatives more precise, according to context, such as "an effective strategy" or "a functional design".

What's the difference between "a useful form" and "a helpful method"?

While both suggest something beneficial, "a useful form" generally refers to the structure or format, while "a helpful method" focuses on the process or approach. Therefore, "a useful form" could describe a template, while "a helpful method" might describe a technique or procedure.