functionally worthless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "functionally worthless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has no practical use or value in a specific context. Example: "After the software update, the old features became functionally worthless, offering no benefit to the users."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's one of the great vexed issues of English grammar, up there with "what is a zeugma?", "are my litotes straight?" and "are semi-colons functionally worthless?".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Absolutely worthless.

The Guardian

Probably worthless.

The New York Times

But worthless?

The Guardian - Books

It is now functionally extinct.

The Guardian

It rapidly became worthless.

The Economist

That theology was functionally lost".

The New Yorker

You are worthless!

The New Yorker

"They are worthless".

The New York Times

The ESOP is worthless.

The New York Times

Life feels worthless.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To improve clarity, consider specifying why something is "functionally worthless". For instance, "The software is functionally worthless without a stable internet connection" provides more context and strengthens your point.

Common error

Avoid using "functionally worthless" in very casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or critical in everyday contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "useless" or "doesn't work" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "functionally worthless" functions as an adjective phrase that describes a noun as being without practical use or value. It modifies a noun by indicating that it does not fulfill its intended purpose in a real-world context, consistent with Ludwig AI's analysis.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "functionally worthless" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe something that lacks practical value, even if it may possess some theoretical worth. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its usage is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure it aligns with a neutral or professional tone, specifying the reasons behind the lack of functionality to enhance clarity and impact. The related phrases like "practically useless" or "virtually ineffective" can serve as suitable alternatives depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

practically useless

Emphasizes the lack of practical application, focusing on usability rather than inherent value.

virtually ineffective

Highlights the ineffectiveness of something, suggesting it has little to no impact.

essentially futile

Stresses the pointlessness of an action or object, suggesting it's unlikely to produce any desired result.

as good as useless

A more colloquial way to express that something is not useful.

of no practical value

Directly addresses the absence of practical utility.

serves no purpose

Focuses on the lack of a defined function or objective.

operationally deficient

Highlights flaws in the way something operates, making it almost worthless.

realistically valueless

Emphasizes the lack of real-world value, focusing on practical worth.

tantamount to useless

Suggests something is virtually equivalent to being completely useless.

in effect, worthless

Highlights that the actual result is the same as worthless despite the intention.

FAQs

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

You can use "functionally worthless" to describe something that doesn't serve its intended purpose in a practical way. For example: "The feature became "functionally worthless" after the system update."

What's a good alternative to "functionally worthless"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "practically useless", "virtually ineffective", or "of no practical value".

Is "functionally worthless" the same as "completely worthless"?

Not exactly. "Functionally worthless" suggests that something is ineffective in its practical application, while "completely worthless" implies a total lack of value in any sense. "Functionally worthless" is more specific and nuanced.

When is it appropriate to use the term "functionally worthless"?

Use "functionally worthless" when describing situations where something has lost its utility or effectiveness in a specific context, even if it might still have some theoretical or intrinsic value. For example, "The old backup system was now "functionally worthless" due to incompatibility with the new software."