has few uses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has few uses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not commonly utilized or has limited applications. Example: "This tool has few uses in everyday tasks, making it less popular among users."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But what gives it that place?Gold has few uses beyond jewellery, and yet the trading of gold internationally is many times larger than that industry.

The Economist

Plutonium has few uses: as specialised fuel for advanced reactors Iran has no plans to build, and as the fissile core of a bomb.

The Economist

Sulfur mustard — which causes severe delayed burns to the eyes, skin and lungs — is a so-called Schedule 1 chemical agent, meaning it has few uses outside warfare.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Aside from 85Rb and 87Rb, another 24 synthetically produced isotopes of rubidium are known, with half-lives of under 3 months; most of these are highly radioactive and have few uses.

Wikipedia

However, aside from these applications, rubidium metal has few commercial uses and is of very minor economic significance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lignocellulosic biomass is a promising source for bioethanol production, because it is abundant worldwide and has few competing uses.

Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering

Temporal synchronisation among individuals is rare in the animal kingdom, which indicates that is has few instrumental uses.

Plosone

Neon is used in a few plasma tube and refrigerant applications but has few other commercial uses.

Wikipedia

It has few applications but has been used in heaters for space probes.

Independent

Final assessment: the emperor has few clothes, but has been used to good effect.

Huffington Post

Under normal circumstances, we have few problems using sensory information to respond to our environment.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the limited usefulness of something, ensure the context clearly indicates why its uses are few. Providing specific examples of where it's not applicable can strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the lack of uses. Instead of saying something "has absolutely no uses", which is rarely true, qualify the statement by specifying the context or type of use where it's limited. For example, "has few commercial uses" is more accurate than a blanket statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has few uses" functions as a descriptive qualifier. It typically modifies a noun, indicating that the noun in question possesses a limited number of applications or purposes. As Ludwig AI indicates, this is a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has few uses" is a grammatically sound and commonly employed expression to denote that something's applications are limited. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It frequently appears in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates why its uses are few and don't exaggerate the lack of uses. Consider alternatives such as "is rarely used" or "has limited application" for variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is of limited utility

Focuses on the limited usefulness or benefit it provides.

has limited application

Focuses on the restricted scope of its applicability.

is rarely used

Emphasizes infrequency of use rather than limited utility.

has restricted usage

Highlights the constraints on its use.

is scarcely used

Highlights the rarity of its application.

is seldom used

Similar to 'rarely used', stressing the infrequency.

is not widely adopted

Indicates a lack of general acceptance or implementation.

lacks common applications

Highlights the absence of everyday or widespread applications.

serves a niche purpose

Suggests that the phrase is only suitable for a specific, limited context.

finds minimal application

Indicates that the phrase's use is minimal and hard to find in real examples.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "has few uses" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "has limited application" or "is of limited utility". These options emphasize the restricted scope or usefulness in a professional or academic context.

What's a simpler way to say "has few uses"?

Simpler alternatives include "is rarely used" or "is seldom used". These options focus on the infrequency of use in everyday language.

Is it better to say "has few uses" or "has limited uses"?

"Has few uses" and "has limited uses" are quite similar. However, "has limited uses" might be preferred when you want to emphasize the constraint or restriction on its potential applications, while "has few uses" simply points out there aren't many applications.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "has few uses"?

This phrase is suitable when describing something that is not commonly utilized or has a restricted set of applications. For instance, you might say, "This chemical "has few uses" outside of laboratory research".