be useful to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be useful to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing the potential benefit or assistance that something or someone can provide to another person or situation. Example: "This new software is designed to be useful to our team in streamlining our workflow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That would be useful to us.

The New York Times

It can be useful to use the term.

Huffington Post

It can be useful to promote growth.

The Guardian

Initials can be useful to hide behind.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This could be useful to people".

The Guardian

"It would be useful to have.

The New York Times

Could these ideas be useful to Greece?

The Guardian - Opinion

He could be useful to Jeanette.

The New Yorker

Everything could be useful to him.

The New York Times - Arts

Find some information that might be useful to them.

The Guardian

It could be useful to connect some dots.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be useful to", ensure the context clearly identifies who or what benefits from the action or object being described. This helps maintain clarity and relevance in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "be useful to" without specifying who or what will benefit. For example, instead of saying "This feature will be useful to users", specify which users and how they'll benefit: "This feature will be useful to novice users by providing step-by-step guidance."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be useful to" functions as a verb phrase indicating the potential for something to provide assistance, benefit, or value to a specific recipient. Ludwig AI confirms this based on numerous examples across various domains. This phrase sets the stage for explaining the positive impact or advantage that something offers.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

33%

Science

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be useful to" is a common and versatile verb phrase used to express the potential benefit or assistance that something can offer. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to academia and scientific research. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who or what benefits from the action or object being described. Alternatives like "be helpful to" or "be beneficial to" can provide subtle shifts in emphasis. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively integrate "be useful to" into your writing to convey clear and impactful messages.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be helpful for

Simpler and more direct, replacing 'useful' with 'helpful'.

be beneficial for

Replaces 'to' with 'for', slightly altering the focus from the recipient to the purpose.

be advantageous for

Emphasizes the advantage or positive outcome resulting from the usefulness.

be valuable for

Highlights the worth or importance of something to a specific purpose.

be of assistance to

Formal alternative, focusing on providing aid or support.

prove helpful to

Highlights the action of providing assistance or being of use.

serve a purpose for

Focuses on the function or reason for something's usefulness.

be instrumental in

Emphasizes a critical role in achieving a particular outcome.

contribute to the benefit of

Highlights the positive impact on the recipient or situation.

be conducive to

Suggests that something creates favorable conditions for a specific outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "be useful to" to indicate that something or someone provides a benefit or aid to a particular person, group, or situation. For example, "This tool will "be useful to" students studying for their exams".

What are some alternatives to "be useful to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "be helpful to", "be beneficial to", or "be advantageous to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "be useful to" in formal writing?

The phrase "be useful to" is generally suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, in very formal contexts, you might consider alternatives like "be of assistance to" for a more elevated tone.

Is there a difference between "be useful to" and "be useful for"?

While similar, "be useful to" typically emphasizes the recipient of the benefit, whereas "be useful for" emphasizes the purpose or application. For example, "This guide will "be useful to" new employees" focuses on the employees, while "This guide will "be useful for" training new employees" focuses on the training process.