bereft of value

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bereft of value" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that lacks worth or significance. Example: "After the market crash, many investments were left bereft of value, leaving investors in a difficult position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Instead they suggest that literature is a "potential cause of experiences" consisting of a system of stratified norms – implicit in the work – which can only be partially realized by the reader; it is neither purely material, mental, nor ideal, nor is it static or bereft of value.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The characterization is thus analogous to the way in which some non-classical logical theories describe some proposition as being neither True nor False, but as having a third truth value, N: Evidently that is not to say that such propositions are bereft of truth value.

SEP

There is no real evidence that scientists and engineers are selfish loners, nor that scientific work is bereft of spiritual values.

HuffPost

Interestingly, this highway -- seemingly bereft of any intrinsic artistic value -- has inspired singers like Chuck Berry, Bruce Springsteen and Simon and Garfunkel.

The New York Times

For Britain and Francee), nuclear bombs are to foreign policy what Olympics are to proper sport: chauvinism bereft of intellectual justification or value for money.

The Guardian - Opinion

But text art, a discreet kind of art that has evolved from its roots in the early 20th century art movements such as dadaism and surrealism, puts a high value on the audience's ability to recognise and understand a sophisticated and often satirical communication bereft of frills and bourgeois values of landscape painting and portraiture.

The Guardian

This becomes more evident when we consider that even the simplest of creatures that may otherwise be bereft of a conscious or explicit value judgement system have been imparted (through evolution) the discerning ability to know that doing a certain "A" set of things will make it more probable for them to survive, as opposed to doing a certain "B" set of things.

TechCrunch

Seven goals, even against a team so bereft of anything resembling their best values as this Stoke City, represented rather more than a bullish shout of confidence.

Independent

Now that he's a success — at a time so bereft of vogues that it may briefly value integrity, as a last resort — his many old friends, including me, can share a sweet, told-you-so satisfaction.

The New Yorker

There's much worse to come in a bloody denouement that leaves Matilda bereft of the two people whose clashing values she tried so hard to reconcile.

The Washington Post

We see George R. R. Martin deal with this last question with the character of Jaime Lannister, who begins at the top in every way in his society, but later is bereft of the martial prowess which gave him value.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bereft of value" when you want to emphasize a profound lack of worth, either in a tangible or intangible sense. It's particularly effective in formal writing and when discussing abstract concepts like morality or ethics.

Common error

Avoid using "bereft of value" in contexts where a simple 'worthless' or 'valueless' would suffice. The phrase carries a slightly more formal and literary tone, so overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bereft of value" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by indicating that it lacks worth or significance. Ludwig examples show it describing abstract concepts, material objects, or even someone's qualities. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

27%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bereft of value" is a grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe something lacking worth or significance. While Ludwig AI deems it usable, its frequency is uncommon, appearing most often in news, scientific, and academic contexts. It carries a formal tone, suggesting a profound absence of worth. Related phrases include "devoid of worth" and "lacking significance". When writing, use this phrase to emphasize a significant lack of worth, but avoid overuse to maintain a natural tone. As Ludwig examples show, the phrase is versatile, fitting into both abstract and concrete descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valueless

A more direct and concise way of saying "bereft of value".

worthless

Similar to "valueless", indicating a complete lack of monetary or intrinsic value.

without value

A straightforward alternative, simply stating the absence of value.

devoid of worth

Focuses on the complete absence of worth, suggesting something is completely valueless.

lacking significance

Emphasizes the absence of importance or consequence.

without merit

Highlights the absence of positive qualities or deservingness.

bereft of importance

Focuses specifically on the lack of importance rather than general value.

devoid of merit

Focuses on the complete absence of positive qualities or deservingness.

empty of value

Emphasizes the hollowness or lack of substance in terms of value.

destitute of value

Highlights a severe lack of value, suggesting impoverishment in terms of worth.

FAQs

How can I use "bereft of value" in a sentence?

You can use "bereft of value" to describe something lacking worth or significance, such as "After the scandal, his reputation was "bereft of value"".

What are some alternatives to "bereft of value"?

Alternatives include "devoid of worth", "lacking significance", or simply "worthless" depending on the context.

Is "bereft of value" a formal expression?

Yes, "bereft of value" is considered a more formal expression compared to everyday synonyms like "worthless" or "valueless". It is better suited for academic or literary writing.

What is the difference between "bereft of value" and "lacking value"?

"Bereft of value" suggests a more profound and perhaps unexpected absence of worth, while "lacking value" is a more neutral and straightforward statement of absence. The former carries a stronger emotional charge.