a useful item

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a useful item" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an object or tool that serves a practical purpose or provides assistance. Example: "This multi-tool is a useful item for camping trips, as it combines several functions in one compact design."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Each game has various difficulty settings, and winning on each setting will result in a freed friend, a useful item or a different story ending.

The New York Times - Tech

Accommodation, in the shape of hostels, refuges, huts and some hotels, is available but sometimes requires a detour, so a tent is a useful item of equipment.

Independent

Do you, hand on heart, think a Fred Perry tennis dress is going to be a useful item to have to hand when you come to get dressed on a wet Tuesday in October?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The tool doesn't yet do the same for flights, which would also be a useful item to track.

TechCrunch

Thankfully, the saw remains a useful item and continued to be produced as a basic carpentry tool.

Vice

An item may exhibit a floor effect with a mild sample of patients, because few patients report the problem, but is a useful item in a severe sample of patients.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

To capture in a single reference book all of American local idiom seems a brilliant folly (like, say, maniacal lepidopterology or the corking of breezes in bottles) as well as a practical, useful item it's amazing someone didn't think of before.

The New York Times - Magazine

Snow boots are an essential item in your wardrobe if you live in an area that gets snow, and rubber shoes or rain boots are a very useful item to wear when it rains.

WikiHow

In Etta and Otto and Russell and James, Emma Hooper's intriguing debut novel, a woman in her early 80s rises early one morning on her farm in Canada's prairie province Saskatchewan, packs a few useful items in a bag, slings a rifle over her shoulder, and sets out on foot to see the ocean.

The Guardian - Books

To take a piece of incredibly shapeless, rumpled material from among a pile of others just as unsightly and to transform it into a welcome and useful item is the stuff of household heroism.

The New York Times

In addition to 20k and a few useful items, you will unlock five emotes total for completing them.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an item, be specific about what makes it "a useful item". Provide examples of how it can be used and what benefits it offers to enhance clarity and persuasiveness.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something is "a useful item" without providing context. Instead, explain why it's useful and for whom. A vague statement lacks impact and fails to convince the reader of its value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a useful item" functions as a noun phrase, where "useful" is an adjective modifying the noun "item". It serves to identify something possessing practical value or offering assistance. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a valid phrase, as demonstrated by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

34%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a useful item" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that describes something with practical value. Ludwig AI confirms its validity across a range of contexts, including news media, wikis, and scientific publications. While its usage is generally neutral in register, specifying why an item is useful strengthens its impact. Alternatives include "a helpful object" or "a handy tool". Remember to offer concrete examples when describing items to ensure the value is apparent to the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a helpful object

Replaces "item" with "object" and "useful" with "helpful", focusing on the assistance provided.

a handy tool

Substitutes "item" with "tool" and "useful" with "handy", emphasizing practicality.

a practical resource

Replaces "item" with "resource" and "useful" with "practical", highlighting the functional aspect.

a valuable asset

Changes the connotation to emphasize the worth or importance of the item.

a beneficial instrument

Substitutes "item" with "instrument" and "useful" with "beneficial", stressing the positive effect.

an advantageous commodity

Replaces "item" with "commodity" and "useful" with "advantageous", focusing on the benefit it provides in a transaction or situation.

a worthwhile possession

Shifts the focus to the value and ownership of the item.

a functional piece

Replaces "item" with "piece" and "useful" with "functional", highlighting the working nature.

a serviceable article

Substitutes "item" with "article" and "useful" with "serviceable", emphasizing its ability to perform a task.

a productive element

Replaces "item" with "element" and "useful" with "productive", highlighting the capacity to generate or create something.

FAQs

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

You can use "a useful item" to describe something that provides a benefit or serves a purpose. For example, "This multi-tool is "a useful item" for camping because it combines several tools in one."

What are some alternatives to "a useful item"?

Alternatives include "a helpful object", "a handy tool", or "a practical resource", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a useful item"?

Yes, "a useful item" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe something that serves a practical purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

What is the difference between "a useful item" and "an essential item"?

"A useful item" refers to something that provides a benefit or helps with a task, while "an essential item" implies something that is absolutely necessary. For example, a flashlight might be "a useful item", but water is "an essential item" for survival.