almost useful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost useful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is nearly beneficial or helpful, but not quite fully so. Example: "The tool was almost useful, but it lacked the necessary features to complete the task effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This was one of the few times Laura said something (almost) useful to me: "You'll never make it through grad school like that".

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Baseline PSA values were the second most useful variable and almost as discriminating as Gleason score.

British Journal of Cancer

Recent market performance tells us almost nothing useful about what the market will do in the near future.

The New York Times

As a result, resistance to this class will increase very quickly, leaving us with almost no useful drugs against multi-resistant bacteria.

Critical Care

A socially positive use of envy — now, that would be a technology almost as useful as fire.

The New Yorker

A few strategies, however, are almost universally useful.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's almost as useful as the double-decker bus, the blue whale and Wales itself.

The Guardian - Tech

While most are cosmetic, the small functional tweaks are almost uniformly useful.

The Guardian - Tech

Almost as useful, the cardboard box that dispenses the sleeves doubles as an iPad stand.

The New York Times

But many of the ideas floated over the three days were much more modest and potentially almost immediately useful.

The New York Times

In Somalia, he said almost nothing useful at all and just got randomly beaten up for making snarky remarks.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing tools or resources, use "almost useful" to honestly assess their limitations, setting realistic expectations for their application.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the utility of something described as "almost useful". Clearly acknowledge its shortcomings to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost useful" functions as an adjectival modifier, qualifying a noun by indicating that it possesses some, but not all, of the characteristics of being useful. As Ludwig AI explains, it suggests a degree of utility that is less than complete.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost useful" is a common and grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe something that possesses some degree of utility but is not entirely effective or helpful. Ludwig AI confirms this, with examples spanning from news and media to scientific literature. The phrase serves to provide a nuanced assessment, acknowledging the limitations of the subject being described. When using "almost useful", it's crucial to accurately reflect these limitations to maintain clarity and avoid overstating benefits.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost effective

Focuses on the nearness to effectiveness.

nearly beneficial

Emphasizes the benefit is close but not fully realized.

somewhat helpful

Indicates a limited degree of helpfulness.

marginally effective

Suggests a minimal level of effectiveness.

slightly productive

Suggests a low degree of productivity.

partially advantageous

Highlights the partial nature of the advantage.

not entirely useless

Expresses utility by negating its opposite.

potentially beneficial

Emphasizes the possibility of benefit rather than current usefulness.

virtually ineffective

Indicates a very low level of effectiveness, approaching ineffectiveness.

practically worthless

Highlights the lack of practical application, the opposite of "almost useful".

FAQs

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

You can use "almost useful" to describe something that has some value but falls short of being fully effective. For example, "The software was "almost useful", but it lacked key features".

What are some alternatives to saying "almost useful"?

Alternatives include "nearly beneficial", "somewhat helpful", or "marginally effective", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "almost useful" or "nearly useless"?

The choice depends on the context. "Almost useful" implies some value, while "nearly useless" suggests very little value. "Almost useful" acknowledges potential, whereas "nearly useless" emphasizes ineffectiveness.

What's the difference between "almost useful" and "potentially useful"?

"Almost useful" suggests that something has some current utility but is limited. "Potentially useful" indicates that something could become useful in the future, even if it is not currently. The term "potentially useful" focuses on the possibility rather than the present reality.