essentially useless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'essentially useless' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to emphasize how close to useless something is. For example: "The paper I wrote was essentially useless due to the lack of research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That plan was essentially useless in the BP accident.

The New York Times

For the people living nearby, it is essentially useless.

The Guardian - Arts

All these methods are essentially useless in city clutter.

MIT Technology Review

Meanwhile, experts have known for more than 100 years that standard fielding statistics are essentially useless.

The New York Times

It first appeared in Knitty magazine The traditional bunch of red roses is essentially useless.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Why players hold on to so many essentially useless items remains a mystery.

The New Yorker

This application runs counter to the long-held perception of number theory as beautiful but essentially useless.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When Mobile was introduced three years ago, the system was essentially useless for the first two weeks.

The New York Times

The price positions the Apple Watch as a luxury, which indicates that the watch itself is essentially useless.

Independent

As with the Optoma, the Swivel's speakers are so small they are essentially useless, at least for communal movie watching.

The New York Times - Tech

He said that type of "regulation" was "essentially useless" because a monopolist can raise their prices without any consultation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "essentially useless" to strongly convey that something provides little to no benefit or practical application in a specific context. Be sure the context is clear.

Common error

Avoid using "essentially useless" when something is only partially ineffective; reserve it for situations where the subject is almost entirely without value or function. Otherwise, consider using terms like "somewhat ineffective" or "marginally useful."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "essentially useless" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that the noun is, for all practical purposes, without value or function. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "essentially useless" is a commonly used adjective phrase that signifies something is, for all practical purposes, without value or function. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While other phrases like "virtually ineffective" or "practically worthless" offer similar meanings, "essentially useless" provides a strong and direct way to dismiss the utility of something, but make sure to be clear in which specific context. When using this phrase, avoid overstating the level of ineffectiveness to maintain accuracy and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually ineffective

Focuses on the near complete lack of effectiveness.

practically worthless

Highlights the lack of practical value or merit.

largely irrelevant

Emphasizes the lack of relevance or importance.

mostly futile

Conveys a sense of pointlessness or ineffectiveness.

basically non-functional

Stresses the lack of ability to perform its intended function.

almost pointless

Indicates a severe lack of purpose or value.

effectively inoperative

Highlights the state of being not in operation or not effective.

fundamentally flawed

Focuses on inherent issues that make something unusable.

inherently deficient

Emphasizes a natural or built-in shortcoming.

patently unhelpful

Highlights the obvious lack of assistance or benefit.

FAQs

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

You can use "essentially useless" to describe something that has very little or no practical value in a given situation. For example, "The old software became "essentially useless" after the new operating system was installed."

What are some alternatives to "essentially useless"?

Some alternatives include "virtually ineffective", "practically worthless", or "largely irrelevant", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "essentially useless" in formal writing?

Yes, "essentially useless" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when you need to strongly emphasize the lack of utility or value. However, consider the tone of your writing and whether a more nuanced phrase like "largely ineffective" might be more suitable.

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

"Essentially useless" suggests something is very close to being useless but might have a tiny bit of residual value, while "completely useless" indicates a total absence of value. The former provides a slightly more nuanced perspective than the latter.