an useful strategy

USAGE SUMMARY

'an useful strategy' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an action or set of actions that can be useful in achieving a certain goal. For example: "John came up with an useful strategy to increase company sales by 25%."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Birth-cohort testing is an useful strategy for identifying previously undiagnosed HCV Ab + because it does not require providers ask risk-based questions, or patients to disclose risk behaviors, and appears to identify HCV Ab + in patients who would not have been identified using a risk-based testing strategy.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

We conclude that a CoP is a useful strategy as part of an evaluation aimed at improving program implementation.

Evaluation and Program Planning

Repetition can be a useful strategy, a way of focusing attention on themes and motifs.

The New York Times

Here's a useful strategy to be used in IB.

WikiHow

Therefore, recognizing Q fever in an early stage is a useful strategy.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

A useful strategy for a purposeful selection of these calibration experiments is proposed.

Journal of Chromatography A

Therefore, incorporating a Zn2·bisDPA complex is a useful strategy to enhance the selectivity of antimicrobial peptides.

Tetrahedron Letters

This seems a useful strategy in a sub group of patients especially in those who are not commencing azathioprine.

BMC Gastroenterology

As resin production shows high heritability [ 15] a breeding program is a useful strategy to improve productiveness [ 16].

BMC Genomics

Each of these desirable attributes helps to determine whether the application of spatial methods will be a useful strategy in a particular setting.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Targeting amyloid fibrils may not be a useful strategy due to an adverse effect of rapidly increasing oligomers.

Chemical Communications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct article before adjectives. In this case, use "a" instead of "an" before "useful" because "useful" begins with a consonant sound. Therefore, the correct phrase is "a useful strategy".

Common error

A common mistake is using "an" before words that begin with the letter 'u' but start with a consonant sound. Remember to use "a" before words like "useful", "unique", and "university".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an useful strategy" functions as a noun phrase that describes a beneficial plan or method. Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically incorrect but still conveys meaning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "an useful strategy" attempts to describe a helpful plan or method, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "a useful strategy". As highlighted by Ludwig, the phrase is used across various contexts, including science, news, and general discussions. To improve clarity and correctness, consider using alternatives such as "a helpful technique" or "an effective approach". Remember to use "a" before words that start with a consonant sound, even if the letter is a vowel.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a helpful technique

Replaces 'useful strategy' with 'helpful technique', focusing on the practical aspect.

a valuable approach

Substitutes 'useful strategy' with 'valuable approach', emphasizing the worth of the method.

a practical method

Replaces 'useful strategy' with 'practical method', highlighting the feasibility of the technique.

an effective tactic

Swaps 'useful strategy' for 'effective tactic', underscoring the success-oriented nature.

a sound plan

Replaces 'useful strategy' with 'sound plan', emphasizing the well-reasoned nature of the approach.

a worthwhile measure

Substitutes 'useful strategy' with 'worthwhile measure', stressing the value and benefit of the action.

a beneficial course of action

Replaces 'useful strategy' with 'beneficial course of action', highlighting the positive outcomes of the approach.

an advantageous maneuver

Swaps 'useful strategy' for 'advantageous maneuver', focusing on the competitive benefit gained.

a productive means

Replaces 'useful strategy' with 'productive means', emphasizing efficiency and output.

a constructive solution

Substitutes 'useful strategy' with 'constructive solution', stressing the problem-solving aspect.

FAQs

How to correctly use the phrase "a useful strategy" in a sentence?

Ensure the phrase fits grammatically by using "a" before "useful" due to its consonant sound. For example: "Implementing "a useful strategy" helped us achieve our goals efficiently".

What are some alternatives to saying "a useful strategy"?

Consider using phrases like "an effective approach", "a helpful technique", or "a valuable method" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "an useful strategy"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "a useful strategy" because the word "useful" begins with a consonant sound, even though it starts with the vowel 'u'. Thus, the article "a" should be used instead of "an".

What's the difference between "a useful strategy" and "an effective strategy"?

While both phrases describe a beneficial plan, "a useful strategy" simply implies that the strategy is helpful. "An effective strategy" suggests that the strategy produces the intended result or outcome.