be of limited value

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'be of limited value' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a context of having a lower value than expected. For example: "The car was older than expected and therefore its appraisal was of limited value."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Inclusion of items related to functional limitations in questionnaires appears to be of limited value to improve the agreement.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

The researchers said the reports appeared to be of limited value.

The New York Times - Health

So far, it appears the FBI's tool could be of limited value in many cases.

The Washington Post

Though that range was so large as to be of limited value, alarms went off in the birding world.

The New York Times - Magazine

In any case, putting Ms Temple under pressure to give evidence may be of limited value.

The Economist

But they do not vote until late in the process, when momentum might be of limited value.

The New York Times

Obama could use presidential waivers to suspend sanctions, but those waivers could subsequently be overridden by Congress, and would be consequently be of limited value to Tehran.

The Guardian

Unless it changes now, though, any deal with BBC Worldwide will be of limited value because Channel 4 simply doesn't own a big enough back-catalogue to exploit.

The Guardian - Opinion

The New York Philharmonic used to use them, but according to Carl Schiebler, the orchestra's personnel manager, they proved to be of limited value.

The New York Times - Arts

Moreover, vehicular operation is inherently dynamic in nature, so traditional steady state process design approaches will be of limited value.

Journal of Power Sources

Recognizing that I am at a point where any numerical analysis is likely to be of limited value, I now focus on how to survive.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be of limited value", ensure the context clearly indicates why the subject's value is limited. Be specific about the limitations.

Common error

Avoid using "be of limited value" when the subject is completely worthless. Reserve this phrase for situations where some benefit or worth exists, even if it's minimal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be of limited value" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It describes the extent to which something is useful or important. As Ludwig AI indicates, it conveys that something possesses a lower-than-expected degree of worth.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be of limited value" is a versatile expression used to indicate that something is not as useful or important as one might expect. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly encountered in various contexts, including scientific research, news reporting, and business communications. While "be of limited value" is generally applicable, it's crucial to provide clear context on the specific limitations. The phrase is most frequently found in science-related contexts, followed by news and media, making it a valuable addition to your writing toolkit when you need to convey nuanced assessments of worth or utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be of little use

This alternative directly replaces "limited value" with "little use", emphasizing the lack of practical application.

be not very helpful

Focuses on the lack of assistance or support provided, rather than direct value.

have limited utility

Replaces "value" with "utility", highlighting the restricted functionality or usefulness.

be of marginal benefit

Substitutes "limited value" with "marginal benefit", indicating a slight or insignificant advantage.

be of questionable worth

Emphasizes the uncertainty or doubt surrounding the value or merit.

have limited impact

Shifts the focus to the restricted effect or influence produced.

not be particularly useful

This alternative underlines the lack of significant usability.

be of minor importance

Replaces the idea of value with that of importance, indicating something is not very significant.

be relatively insignificant

Highlights the comparative lack of importance or consequence.

be somewhat ineffective

Focuses on the reduced capability to produce the desired result.

FAQs

How can I use "be of limited value" in a sentence?

Use "be of limited value" to express that something has some usefulness but is not particularly effective or important. For instance: "The data collected was "found to be" of limited value in predicting future trends".

What are some alternatives to "be of limited value"?

You can use phrases like "be of little use", "have limited utility", or "be of marginal benefit" to convey a similar meaning. The best choice will depend on the specific context.

Is it better to say "be of limited value" or "be of no value"?

"Be of limited value" suggests that something has some small amount of worth or usefulness, while "be of no value" means it is completely worthless. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the degree of usefulness.

What's the difference between "be of limited value" and "be of limited significance"?

"Be of limited value" refers to the practical worth or usefulness of something, whereas "be of limited significance" refers to its importance or consequence. Value relates to utility, while significance relates to impact or meaning.