functionally useless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "functionally useless" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to anything that serves no practical purpose and cannot be used effectively. For example, "This old computer is functionally useless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Long pastel ladders, often missing rungs, lie slanted onto a wall leading to the ceiling of the space, functionally useless and somehow lonely for this reason.

Vice

Wouldn't his sword be functionally useless against onrushing lava?

The Guardian - Film

Clever as she is, Clarissa is functionally useless and proud of it.

The New York Times - Arts

TripAdvisor, more popular in this country than Yelp, isn't bad for hotels but is functionally useless for choosing restaurants.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It looked that way as tougher soldiers from a more effectually ruthless empire humiliated their British captives, cruelly exploiting them to build a railway that proved functionally useless.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Functionally useless as they might be, arts degrees do tend to require a certain level of hard work, particularly if the university has a good reputation.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Thus, lack of one of a pair or set of functionally related traits (e.g., a behavior) may render the other (e.g., a morphology) useless or even detrimental to fitness.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

When you're a native, tourists are the dust balls on the urban veld: functionally useless and fouling up the works.

The New York Times

It is now functionally extinct.

The Guardian

That theology was functionally lost".

The New Yorker

"I'm functionally illiterate.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing objects or systems, use "functionally useless" to convey that they might exist or seem complete, but they don't actually perform their intended function.

Common error

While "functionally useless" is acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "operationally ineffective" or "practically unviable" in professional or academic writing to maintain a higher degree of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "functionally useless" serves as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies nouns to indicate they are incapable of performing their intended purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and examples show its application in describing objects, systems, or even abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "functionally useless" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that describes something unable to fulfill its intended purpose. Ludwig AI confirms this. While examples show it's versatile across various contexts, including news and scientific articles, it may be beneficial to consider more formal alternatives in highly professional settings. Common synonyms include "effectively useless", "practically useless", and "virtually useless". When using "functionally useless", ensure it accurately reflects the lack of practical benefit and avoid overuse in contexts demanding high formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

effectively useless

Emphasizes the actual outcome or result of being useless.

practically useless

Highlights the lack of practical application or benefit.

virtually useless

Suggests the item is so close to being useless that it makes no real difference.

essentially useless

Focuses on the core or fundamental lack of usefulness.

of no practical value

Directly states the lack of practical benefit.

operationally useless

Highlights ineffectiveness regarding the execution or operation.

nominally useless

Useless in effect, regardless of what the expectation might have been.

serves no purpose

Indicates that the item or action has no intended or useful outcome.

unserviceable

Focuses on being beyond repair or not fit for use.

good for nothing

An idiomatic expression indicating complete lack of value.

FAQs

What does "functionally useless" mean?

It means something is, for all practical purposes, unable to perform its intended function or serve any useful purpose.

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

You might say, "The old software is now "effectively useless" because it's incompatible with modern systems".

Are there synonyms for "functionally useless"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "practically useless", "virtually useless", or "essentially useless" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "functionally useless" a formal or informal expression?

It's generally considered neutral, suitable for a range of contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or highly professional writing.