completely useless

USAGE SUMMARY

'completely useless' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is completely void of all usefulness or value. For example, "That old appliance is completely useless; it's been broken for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Completely useless.

The Guardian

"They're completely useless".

The New Yorker

"They were completely useless".

The New York Times

And it's going to be completely useless".

Independent

These narratives are also, evidently, completely useless.

The Guardian - Opinion

A collectible must be completely useless.

The New York Times

I've got a completely useless degree.

The New Yorker

"This body [Moscow district council] is completely useless.

The Guardian

One said: "I thought sociology was completely useless.

The Guardian

"It's completely useless but it keeps us occupied".

The Guardian - Tech

They're endlessly helpful in a completely useless way.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and adjust the tone accordingly; while "completely useless" is generally acceptable, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "entirely ineffective".

Common error

Avoid using "completely useless" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms such as "wholly ineffectual" or "entirely devoid of merit" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely useless" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its lack of utility or value. As Ludwig AI explains, it's used to describe something entirely void of usefulness. The examples in Ludwig show it applying to diverse subjects, from degrees to political bodies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "completely useless" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that describes something entirely lacking value or utility. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, it serves to express strong disapproval or highlight ineffectiveness. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives in certain contexts to maintain a professional tone. Be sure to be aware of your audience, especially in business contexts, where similar phrases may be a better fit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely ineffective

Focuses on the lack of effectiveness, implying a failure to produce the desired result.

totally worthless

Emphasizes the lack of value, suggesting something has no worth at all.

of no use whatsoever

Highlights the absence of any practical application or benefit.

absolutely futile

Stresses the pointlessness of an action or object, indicating it will not achieve anything.

utterly pointless

Conveys a strong sense of having no purpose or reason.

wholly ineffectual

Similar to 'entirely ineffective' but with a slightly more formal tone.

dead loss

An informal expression indicating something is a complete waste of time, money, or effort.

good for nothing

Implies that someone or something is lazy or without skills or purpose.

serves no purpose

Highlights the lack of intention or goal behind something, making it irrelevant.

amounts to nothing

Indicates that efforts or actions have no positive outcome or significant impact.

FAQs

How can I use "completely useless" in a sentence?

You can use "completely useless" to describe something that has no value or function. For example: "That old phone is "completely useless" since it can't connect to modern networks."

What are some alternatives to "completely useless"?

Alternatives to "completely useless" include "entirely ineffective", "totally worthless", or "of no use whatsoever". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "completely useless"?

Yes, "completely useless" is grammatically correct. "Completely" is an adverb modifying the adjective "useless", forming a common and accepted phrase.

What's the difference between "completely useless" and "partially useless"?

"Completely useless" means something has no value or function at all, while "partially useless" implies it has some limited use or value. If something is "completely useless", it's essentially worthless.