an useful one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an useful one" is not correct in written English.
The correct form is "a useful one" because "useful" begins with a consonant sound. Example: "This tool is a useful one for improving productivity."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The faculty though not having prior exposure to such a system also appraised the method as an useful one.

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In Section 3, we use a useful one (Algorithm 3.1) [21], Algorithm 4.6, that can obtain the step sizes satisfying (2.1) and (2.2) whenever the line search algorithm terminates [21], Theorem 4.7.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

This is an overgeneralisation, but a useful one because so much has been written about the Dreyfus affair.

The Guardian - Books

Letter writing is an art, and a useful one, constructing first person accounts of history as it unfolds.

The New Yorker

The notion of an itinerary is a useful one to describe the patterns of care seeking.

BMC Public Health

There is a higher number of T cells with the CD45RO+ 'memory' phenotype and much less with the CD45RA+ 'naïve' phenotype in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, although this is of course an oversimplification, albeit a useful one [ 7].

Arthritis Research and Therapy

But the widespread notion that Turkey will draw Syria toward moderation and a regional peace deal may be something of a fantasy, albeit a useful one.

The New York Times

The distinction between Group A and B haplotypes is a useful one, having potential biological and medical significance.

Human Reproduction

Films (albeit, again, not enough of them) are being made about the experiences of black Americans, and "Birth of a Movement" is a useful one.

The New Yorker

Venmo, however, is largely a utility, and a useful one at that.

TechCrunch

This chapter explores whether seagrass populations have the characteristics that make a metapopulation approach a useful one for investigation.

Marine Metapopulations

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "a" instead of "an" before words that begin with a consonant sound, even if the first letter is a vowel. For example, use "a useful tool" not "an useful tool".

Common error

Avoid using "an" before words that sound like they start with a consonant, such as "useful", "university", or "European". The correct article to use in these cases is "a". For example, it is more appropriate to say, "This is a useful technique", rather than "This is an useful technique".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an useful one" functions as a noun phrase intended to describe something of benefit, value, or practicality. However, due to the incorrect use of the article "an" before the consonant sound of "useful", it deviates from standard English grammar, as pointed out by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

44%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an useful one" is grammatically incorrect in standard English, as highlighted by Ludwig AI. The correct form is "a useful one" because "useful" begins with a consonant sound. While the phrase appears in various sources, its usage is infrequent, and its grammatical inaccuracy detracts from its effectiveness. It's essential to use "a" instead of "an" before words starting with a consonant sound to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity in writing. Consider alternatives such as "a helpful one", "a valuable one", or "a practical one" for better precision and grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a helpful one

Replaces "useful" with "helpful", maintaining a similar level of formality but emphasizing assistance.

a beneficial one

Substitutes "useful" with "beneficial", suggesting a more positive or advantageous outcome.

a valuable one

Replaces "useful" with "valuable", highlighting the importance or worth of something.

a practical one

Substitutes "useful" with "practical", emphasizing functionality and real-world application.

a handy one

Replaces "useful" with "handy", suggesting convenience and ease of use.

an effective one

Swaps out "useful" with "effective", focusing on the successful achievement of a desired result.

a productive one

Substitutes "useful" with "productive", implying that something generates or enhances output.

an advantageous one

Replaces "useful" with "advantageous", suggesting it provides an advantage or benefit.

a worthwhile one

Substitutes "useful" with "worthwhile", highlighting the value in expending effort or resources on it.

a constructive one

Replaces "useful" with "constructive", implying that something builds or improves a situation.

FAQs

Why is "an useful one" grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "an useful one" is incorrect because the word "useful" begins with a consonant sound (even though the first letter is a vowel). According to English grammar rules, we use "a" before words that start with a consonant sound and "an" before words that start with a vowel sound. So the correct phrase would be "a useful one".

What are some alternatives to "a useful one"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a helpful one", "a valuable one", or "a practical one" to express the same idea.

When should I use "a" versus "an"?

Use "a" before words that start with a consonant sound (e.g., a cat, a house, a useful tool). Use "an" before words that start with a vowel sound (e.g., an apple, an hour, an interesting idea). It's about the sound, not the letter itself.

Is "an helpful one" also incorrect?

Yes, "an helpful one" is also grammatically incorrect for the same reason that "an useful one" is incorrect. The word "helpful" begins with a consonant sound, so the correct form is "a helpful one".