a useless argument

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a useless argument" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a debate or discussion that lacks value or purpose, often because it is based on flawed reasoning or irrelevant points. Example: "After hours of back-and-forth, it became clear that we were engaged in a useless argument that was going nowhere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It doesn't know any better," is a useless argument.

Vice

The mosque/cathedral the mezquita feels much more like the end of a useless argument.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

So it's a useless debate.

The Guardian - Music

* Attend a meeting of the assessment review panel before your own hearing, to get a sense of the procedures, and of useful and useless arguments.

The New York Times

"This administrative inquiry – of the police's police – will allow us to establish the facts about the cover as opposed to continuing useless arguments," Cazeneuve added.

The Guardian

The second thema reduced, among others, arguments with the following modes (Alex. Aphr. An. Pr. 164.27 31): The Peripatetics chided the Stoics for allowing such useless arguments, but the Stoics rightly insisted that if they can be reduced, they are valid.

SEP

Sometimes it drags me in to useless arguments, like when I insist that my version of arranging the refrigerator is superior to my husband's.

Huffington Post

Start useless arguments.

WikiHow

This is an easily-refuted, scientifically-useless argument whose sole purpose seems to be fooling non-experts.

The Guardian

At oral argument in Rodriguez v. United States, a case involving drug-sniffing dogs, Justice Sotomayor urged that if the arguments made by the Justice Department's lawyer were accepted, the Fourth Amendment would become "a useless piece of paper".

Huffington Post

Like a useless gimp.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a debate or discussion, use "a useless argument" to emphasize that it's unproductive and leads nowhere. It's particularly effective when highlighting the exercise in futility.

Common error

While appropriate in certain contexts, overuse of "a useless argument" can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider varying your language with synonyms like "a pointless argument" or "a futile argument" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a useless argument" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "useless" modifies the noun "argument". It describes a specific type of argument that lacks value or purpose. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a useless argument" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an unproductive or pointless debate. Ludwig confirms its usability. While not very common, it effectively conveys the futility of a discussion. Synonyms like "a pointless argument" or "a futile argument" can provide variety in writing. It is suitable for various contexts, but writers should avoid overuse to maintain clarity and engagement. Although it appears to be more frequent in the news and media or scientific contexts, its register is considered neutral.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pointless argument

Replaces "useless" with "pointless", emphasizing the lack of purpose.

a futile argument

Replaces "useless" with "futile", highlighting the lack of any positive outcome.

a fruitless argument

Replaces "useless" with "fruitless", stressing the lack of productive results.

a vain argument

Replaces "useless" with "vain", suggesting that the argument is self-important but ultimately empty.

an unproductive argument

Replaces "useless" with "unproductive", focusing on the lack of useful outcome.

a profitless argument

Replaces "useless" with "profitless", emphasizing the lack of any gain from the argument.

a worthless argument

Replaces "useless" with "worthless", suggesting that the argument has no value.

an empty argument

Replaces "useless" with "empty", highlighting the lack of substance in the argument.

a meaningless argument

Replaces "useless" with "meaningless", indicating the argument has no significance.

a trivial argument

Replaces "useless" with "trivial", suggesting that the argument is unimportant.

FAQs

What does "a useless argument" mean?

The phrase "a useless argument" describes a discussion or debate that is unproductive, serves no purpose, and typically leads to no resolution or valuable outcome. It implies that the time spent arguing is wasted.

What can I say instead of "a useless argument"?

You can use alternatives like "a pointless argument", "a futile argument", or "a fruitless argument" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How can I use "a useless argument" in a sentence?

You can use "a useless argument" to describe any debate or discussion that is unproductive and leads nowhere. For example: "Their discussion quickly devolved into "a useless argument" about semantics."

Is "a useless argument" formal or informal?

"A useless argument" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal writing, you might consider alternatives like "an unproductive debate".