be of use to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'be of use to' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are offering to help someone with something. For example, "I hope my advice can be of use to you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Posner wonders how Chekhov's unique wisdom can be of use to us.

Los Angeles Times

I had to be of use to someone".

The New York Times

It is a real joy to be of use to a new writer of your quality.

The New Yorker

Candidates often underestimate their knowledge and how it can be of use to an employer.

The Guardian

You have to know your community in order to be of use to them," she says.

The Guardian

The hysterics of the past few years will no longer be of use to them.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it could be tweaked to be of use to the poor.

The New York Times

This could also be of use to some people in China.

The New Yorker

"I thought that it might just be of use to people going through similar problems.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Goldstar at least possessed some abilities that might be of use to your average jobbing superhero.

The Guardian - Film

I hope that these proposals will be of use to you throughout the year.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering help, use "be of use to" to express your willingness to assist: "Let me know if I can "be of use to" you."

Common error

While "be of use to" is generally acceptable, excessively formal contexts might benefit from stronger, more direct alternatives like "assist" or "benefit".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be of use to" primarily functions as a predicate adjective phrase. It describes the state of being helpful or beneficial to someone or something. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be of use to" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate helpfulness or utility. As Ludwig confirms, its frequent appearance across diverse contexts—from news and media to scientific literature—underscores its widespread acceptance. While always "Correct" and suitable for many situations, remember to consider more direct alternatives in highly formal settings. By avoiding overly formal tones and understanding its communicative purpose, you can confidently incorporate "be of use to" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prove helpful to

Replaces "be of use" with "prove helpful", emphasizing the demonstration of assistance.

benefit someone

Uses a more direct verb "benefit" instead of the phrase "be of use", focusing on the positive outcome.

assist someone

Emphasizes the act of providing assistance directly.

serve a purpose for

Highlights the functionality and reason for being helpful.

be advantageous to

Focuses on providing an advantage or favorable outcome.

be valuable to

Highlights the worth and importance of the assistance.

contribute to

Suggests playing a role in achieving a larger goal or benefit.

lend a hand to

Offers a more informal and personal way to express assistance.

be instrumental in

Emphasizes a crucial role in achieving a specific result.

avail someone

A more formal and less common way of expressing usefulness or benefit.

FAQs

How can I use "be of use to" in a sentence?

You can use "be of use to" to indicate helpfulness or utility. For example, "I hope this information will "be of use to" you in your research."

What are some alternatives to "be of use to"?

Alternatives include "prove helpful to", "assist someone", or "benefit someone", depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "be of use to" in professional writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the specific context. In some cases, more direct verbs like "assist" or "benefit" may be more impactful. Evaluate if "serve a purpose for" is a good alternative in formal contexts.

What's the difference between "be of use to" and "be helpful to"?

Both phrases are similar, but "be of use to" can sometimes imply a specific function or purpose, whereas "be helpful to" is more general. Think about which is more effective in the context you are writing. A good alternative in several contexts is "be valuable to".