he is useless

USAGE SUMMARY

'he is useless' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You might use it when someone has failed to do what you asked them to do, for example: "He was supposed to finish the report by today, but he is useless and it's still not done."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Man was necessary; now he is useless.

The New York Times - Books

Also, as he will himself admit, he is useless at self-promotion.

The Guardian - Books

He is useless, you understand?" For his part, Mr. Hollande, early in the campaign, characterized Mr. Sarkozy as a "sale mec," a nasty piece of work.

The New York Times

She is warm and down-to-earth, and complains he is useless with money and was never one for pension plans.

The Guardian

Diane "My dog is always behaving in a bizarre manner, so he is useless as an earthquake predictor, but I was sitting in my living room playing a computer game when it hit.

The New York Times

Joe Hart, whose fine save at 2-1 from a Roberto Soldado penalty was pivotal, offered an intriguing revelation regarding Agüero: "I don't think he will be unhappy with me saying it – that some days in training he is useless.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Basically, he's useless.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Yeah, he's useless!

The Guardian

He was useless, and he knew it.

The New Yorker

"I thought he was useless," she said.

The New York Times

"He's useless at D.I.Y.!" Katharine said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he is useless", ensure the context clearly indicates the area of ineffectiveness. Be specific rather than making a sweeping generalization.

Common error

Avoid using "he is useless" without providing context or specific examples. Saying someone is completely useless is rarely accurate and can be hurtful. Instead, specify the area where they are ineffective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is useless" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, where 'useless' describes the subject 'he'. This phrase often serves to express a negative judgment or assessment of someone's capabilities or value. As Ludwig AI shows, this pattern is commonly used in news and media.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he is useless" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express that someone is ineffective or lacks value in a specific context. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While the phrase is commonly found in news and media, it's important to use it judiciously, providing specific context to avoid overgeneralization and potential offense. Consider using alternatives like "he is ineffective" or "he is incompetent" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is ineffective

Focuses on the lack of positive results or impact.

he is incompetent

Highlights a lack of necessary skills or abilities.

he is worthless

Emphasizes a complete lack of value or usefulness.

he is inept

Suggests clumsiness or a lack of skill in handling situations.

he is no good

A more general expression of disapproval and lack of worth.

he is a failure

Focuses on a lack of success in achieving goals.

he is unproductive

Highlights the inability to generate results or contribute effectively.

he is deficient

Emphasizes a lack of necessary qualities or components.

he is unhelpful

Focuses on the lack of assistance or support provided.

he is expendable

Suggests that he is not essential and can be easily replaced.

FAQs

How can I use "he is useless" in a sentence?

You can use "he is useless" to express that someone is not effective or helpful in a specific situation. For example, "He is useless at fixing cars, so don't ask him for help".

What are some alternatives to saying "he is useless"?

You can use alternatives like "he is ineffective", "he is incompetent", or "he is worthless", depending on the specific context.

Is it too harsh to say "he is useless"?

The phrase "he is useless" can be considered harsh, as it implies a complete lack of value or ability. Consider using softer alternatives, such as "he is unhelpful" or "he is ineffective", to be more diplomatic.

What's the difference between "he is useless" and "he was useless"?

"He is useless" refers to a current state of ineffectiveness, while "he was useless" refers to a past state. For example, "He is useless now because he is injured", versus "He was useless before he received proper training".