be functionally useless in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be functionally useless in" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that does not serve a practical purpose in a specific context or situation. Example: "The old software updates have proven to be functionally useless in improving system performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

While Reapers have been outfitted with missiles for theoretical air-to-air combat capabilities, those armaments would be functionally useless in a real-world dogfight.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This sort of defeatist stuff may have got its late author shortlisted for the Booker, but it's functionally useless if we want to be, as we must in 2015, masters of the universe.

The Guardian - Books

Wouldn't his sword be functionally useless against onrushing lava?

The Guardian - Film

In contrast, the extensors remain weak; the imbalance can result in a permanently closed hand, which is functionally useless because the fingers cannot extend to allow grasping (Twitchell, 1951).

Brain

TripAdvisor, more popular in this country than Yelp, isn't bad for hotels but is functionally useless for choosing restaurants.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Clever as she is, Clarissa is functionally useless and proud of it.

The New York Times - Arts

And the Medicare bill restricts Medicare from declaring drugs to be functionally equivalent in the future.

The New York Times - Health

"We've been saying that whitebark pine will be functionally lost in the ecosystem.

Huffington Post

They have to be functionally equivalent campuses.

The Guardian

"We think the idea is functionally dead in San Bernardino," Scott Simon, of Pimco, told me.

The New Yorker

"But from the inside, we're functionally in the same boat," he said about Article 44.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "be functionally useless in", ensure that the context clearly defines the specific situation or area where the subject lacks practical value. Avoid vague statements without clear parameters.

Common error

Avoid using "be functionally useless in" when something has some minor use. Reserve it for situations where the subject truly provides no practical benefit within the defined context. Using weaker alternatives can create more nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be functionally useless in" primarily functions as a predicate adjective. It describes the subject by ascribing to it the quality of being without practical use within a specified scope. As seen in Ludwig's examples, the phrase modifies nouns to convey their lack of effectiveness in a certain situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

33%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be functionally useless in" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for describing something lacking practical value within a specified context. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples across various sources. While not exceedingly common, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Science, with a neutral register that makes it suitable for diverse communication styles. Remember to clearly define the context when using this phrase to avoid ambiguity, and consider softer alternatives if you don't want to overstate the claim.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be practically ineffective in

Replaces "functionally useless" with "practically ineffective", emphasizing the lack of practical effect.

be essentially worthless in

Substitutes "functionally useless" with "essentially worthless", highlighting a complete lack of value.

be largely unhelpful in

Replaces "functionally useless" with "largely unhelpful", softening the judgment but still indicating a lack of assistance.

offer minimal benefit in

Shifts the focus to the limited positive outcome, rather than complete uselessness.

have little practical application in

Emphasizes the lack of real-world usability, offering a more formal tone.

be of limited utility in

Uses "limited utility" to convey a reduced degree of usefulness.

be substantially ineffectual in

Replaces "functionally useless" with "substantially ineffectual", providing a more formal and emphatic tone.

fail to provide a solution in

Focuses on the inability to resolve a problem, instead of stating a lack of function.

prove largely inadequate in

Highlights the insufficiency of something for a specific purpose.

be significantly impaired in

Focuses on the reduction in functionality, rather than its complete absence.

FAQs

How can I use "be functionally useless in" in a sentence?

Use "be functionally useless in" to describe something that has no practical purpose or effect within a specific context. For example, "The old software updates have proven to be functionally useless in improving system performance."

What are some alternatives to "be functionally useless in"?

Alternatives include "be practically ineffective in", "be essentially worthless in", or "offer minimal benefit in", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "be functionally useless in"?

It's appropriate when something offers no practical value or benefit within a defined context. Ensure the context clearly specifies the area of ineffectiveness.

Is "be functionally useless in" a formal or informal phrase?

"Be functionally useless in" is relatively neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more common in analytical or technical discussions.