a useful information

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a useful information" is not correct in English.
The word "information" is an uncountable noun, so it should not be preceded by the article "a." Example: "I found useful information on the topic while researching online."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

The small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurement may give us a useful information about the higher order structure in principle.

Polymer

Systematic classification of annotated sequences using available bioinformatics tools (GO, KEGG) provides a useful information to analyze the functional profile of annotated genes.

BMC Veterinary Research

Thus, this study provides a useful information on the selection of tiles material that could be used as cool-pavement coatings, and contribute for a more potential measurement in mitigating urban heat island effects.

Energy and Buildings

The charity Stonewall also has a useful information sevice at 08000 508000208000

The Guardian

That America's infatuation with the Web as a haven for cybersurfing adventures has morphed into a more mundane fondness for a useful information tool is in many ways testament to how quickly it has become a part of everyday life for so many.

The New York Times

The Zr/Nb ratio serves as a useful information to identify the nature of the MORB.

Geochemical Transactions

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

When someone looks up a URI, provide useful information, using the standards (RDF*, SPARQL).

Journal of Cheminformatics

When someone looks up a URI, provide useful information, using the standards (RDF*, SPARQL).   4.

Journal of Cheminformatics

This fact may become a new useful information source to study the specificities of meridian points.

BMC Systems Biology

It is unrealistic to think that all descriptors of a molecule contain useful information for a specific modelling problem.

Journal of Cheminformatics

I use the Guardian Voluntary Sector Network as a source of useful information and networking tool.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to information, remember that it is an uncountable noun. Use alternatives like "useful information", "helpful data", or "a piece of useful information".

Common error

Avoid using the indefinite article "a" before "information". It's grammatically incorrect to say "a information". Instead, use "useful information" or "a piece of useful information".

Linguistic Context

The phrase is intended to function as an adjective ("useful") modifying a noun ("information"), aiming to describe the quality of the information being conveyed. However, it's grammatically flawed, as Ludwig AI highlights, because "information" is an uncountable noun and doesn't combine with the article "a".

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a useful information" is grammatically incorrect because "information" is an uncountable noun and should not be preceded by the article "a". As Ludwig AI confirms, the correct usage is to omit the article, using "useful information" instead. Alternative phrases like "helpful information" or "valuable information" also serve the purpose of conveying the utility or relevance of the information. Remember to avoid using "a" before uncountable nouns like "information" to maintain grammatical accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

useful information

Omits the indefinite article "a", correcting the grammatical error since "information" is an uncountable noun.

helpful information

Replaces "useful" with its synonym "helpful", while maintaining the intended meaning and correcting the grammar.

valuable information

Substitutes "useful" with "valuable", suggesting the information is of great worth. Also, the article "a" is omitted.

practical information

Emphasizes that the information is applicable and can be readily put to use. Also, the article "a" is omitted.

relevant information

Highlights that the information is related and important to the subject. Also, the article "a" is omitted.

key information

Indicates that the information is essential and significant. Also, the article "a" is omitted.

important information

Suggests the information is of high significance. Also, the article "a" is omitted.

significant information

Highlights that the information is noteworthy and consequential. Also, the article "a" is omitted.

informative data

Uses the noun "data" instead of "information", which is also uncountable. Replaces "useful" with the adjective "informative".

a piece of useful information

Corrects the grammar by using the construction "a piece of" to make "information" countable.

FAQs

Why is it incorrect to say "a useful information"?

The word "information" is an uncountable noun in English. Uncountable nouns do not take the indefinite article "a" or "an". Instead, use the phrase as "useful information".

What are some alternatives to "a useful information"?

You can use alternatives such as "useful information", "helpful information", or "valuable information".

How can I make "information" countable in a sentence?

To make "information" countable, use the phrase "a piece of". For example, "a piece of useful information" is grammatically correct.

Is there a difference between saying "useful information" and "a useful information"?

Yes, there is a grammatical difference. "Useful information" is correct because "information" is uncountable. "A useful information" is incorrect because it uses the article "a" with an uncountable noun.