considered worthless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "considered worthless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is deemed to have no value or significance by a person or group. Example: "Many old coins are often considered worthless by collectors, but some can actually be quite valuable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Although extremely widely used and cited, these studies were considered worthless by some geneticists.

The Guardian - Opinion

For generations, the ornately designed bonds were considered worthless other than as decoration.

The New York Times

Many insecticides once used against Aedes aegypti are now considered worthless.

The New Yorker

She says that, once sold, many women are considered worthless by the community they find themselves in.

The Guardian

In clinical trials, if a drug and a sugar pill produce similar results, the drug has generally been considered worthless.

The New Yorker

Animals that were once used for bait or that were considered worthless (hagfish, sea cucumber) were later taken in large quantities for human consumption.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Maybe it's because it reverses expectations, turning something usually considered ugly and worthless into something lovely and amazing.

The New York Times - Arts

Many provided only classroom lessons, which, unconnected to clinical or laboratory experience, Flexner considered "utterly worthless".

The New Yorker

If truth be told, they were left free for unlicensed public use largely because governments considered them worthless.

The Economist

However, by the 1980s, Jeanneret's furniture had become so dilapidated that it was considered virtually worthless, frequently sold as scrap and even chopped up for firewood.

The New York Times

Nonvintage prints by Paul Strand, Robert Frank and Diane Arbus, considered relatively worthless in the late 1970's, were bringing tens of thousands of dollars by the late 1990's.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "considered worthless" to describe a shift in perception, where something once valued is now seen as unimportant or useless. This can add depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "considered worthless" in purely subjective or opinion-based statements without providing supporting evidence or context. Ground your assertion in facts or widely held beliefs to strengthen your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "considered worthless" primarily functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state or condition of a noun. It indicates that something is regarded as having no value or importance. Ludwig examples show varied subjects being described this way.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "considered worthless" is a versatile expression used to denote the perceived lack of value or importance of something. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical structure is sound, and it finds frequent application across various domains, notably in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. While its tone is generally neutral, contextual factors can shift it toward formality. To ensure clarity, specify who holds this view and ground statements in evidence. When using the phrase, consider alternatives like "deemed valueless" or "regarded as insignificant" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deemed valueless

Formal alternative focusing on the lack of monetary or material worth.

regarded as insignificant

Emphasizes the lack of importance or consequence attributed to something.

seen as having no merit

Highlights the absence of positive qualities or deserving attributes.

thought to be of no account

Formal alternative indicating that something is not worthy of consideration.

looked upon as trash

Strongly negative connotation, suggesting something is unwanted and disposable.

dismissed as unimportant

Focuses on the act of rejecting or disregarding something due to its perceived lack of value.

viewed as expendable

Highlights that something can be easily replaced or sacrificed without significant loss.

judged to be without value

Formal alternative emphasizing the act of assessing something and finding it lacking worth.

written off as a loss

Indicates that something is no longer considered recoverable or useful, particularly in a financial context.

believed to be inconsequential

Highlights a belief that something has no effect or significance.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "considered worthless" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "deemed valueless", "regarded as insignificant", or "thought to be of no account". Each of these alternatives elevates the formality of your writing.

What's the difference between "deemed valueless" and "considered worthless"?

"Considered worthless" implies a broader sense of judgment, while "deemed valueless" often refers to a more formal or official assessment of something's lack of value. The choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is it always negative to describe something as "considered worthless"?

Yes, the phrase "considered worthless" generally carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of value, importance, or usefulness. However, it can also be used neutrally to describe a change in perception or economic value.

Can you provide examples of how "considered worthless" is used in different contexts?

The phrase can be used across various contexts, from describing discarded materials to reassessing historical views. For instance, something like 'wetlands were once "considered worthless"' or 'certain skills are "considered worthless" in today's job market'.