is hopeless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is hopeless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, person, or thing that is beyond help or improvement. Example: "After trying to fix the old car for weeks, I finally admitted that it is hopeless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Neither assumption is hopeless.

The New York Times

Oh, this is hopeless.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sander is hopeless.

The New Yorker

Arizona is hopeless.

The New York Times - Sports

Vital communication is hopeless.

The New Yorker

My version is hopeless.

The Guardian - Arts

Yet not all is hopeless.

The Economist

The electricity grid is hopeless.

The Economist

The leading lady is hopeless.

The New York Times

K. A.: This is hopeless.

The New Yorker

And further earthly flight is hopeless.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is hopeless" to clearly communicate a situation offers no prospect of improvement or positive outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "is hopeless" in situations where there's still a chance of improvement or a more nuanced description is appropriate. Overusing it can sound overly dramatic and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is hopeless" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state or condition of a subject as lacking any possibility of improvement or positive outcome. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase conveys a strong sense of despair.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

23%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is hopeless" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a lack of hope or possibility of improvement. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is widely used in various contexts, especially in news and media sources. While generally acceptable, it's important to consider the context and audience when using "is hopeless", as more formal settings may benefit from more nuanced wording. Consider alternatives such as "is futile" or "is impossible" depending on the specific message you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is futile

This alternative emphasizes the pointlessness of an action or effort.

is useless

This suggests a lack of value or effectiveness.

is fruitless

Similar to 'futile', this highlights the lack of positive results.

is dire

This conveys a sense of urgency and extreme negativity.

is worthless

This implies a lack of inherent value or merit.

is pointless

This stresses the lack of a valid reason or purpose.

is impossible

This suggests that a certain outcome cannot be achieved.

is helpless

This emphasizes the lack of ability to change a situation.

is incorrigible

This indicates that a person or situation cannot be corrected or improved.

is doomed

This suggests that a negative outcome is inevitable.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "is hopeless"?

When something "is hopeless", it means there is no chance of success or improvement. It implies a situation is beyond repair or redemption.

What can I say instead of "is hopeless"?

You can use alternatives like "is futile", "is useless", or "is pointless" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "is hopeless" in formal writing?

While "is hopeless" is understandable, consider stronger or more precise wording for formal writing. Alternatives such as "is unsalvageable" or "is irreparable" may be more suitable.

How to use "is hopeless" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a situation, person, or endeavor that has no chance of success. For example, "The situation after the flood is hopeless."