is needless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is needless" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is unnecessary or that it is not needed. For example, "Adding extra steps to this process is needless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Every life lost is needless.

The Guardian

(The process today is, needless to say, far more extensive).

The New Yorker

There is, needless to say, a lot to be done.

The New Yorker

But it is needless to pursue the argument further.

Cornell University

It is needless to here examine those cases.

Cornell University

This is, needless to say, only a partial accounting.

The New York Times

And it is, needless to say, a deeply dark mirror.

The Washington Post

Such a swashbuckler is, needless to say, irresistible to women.

The New York Times - Books

Native talent is, needless to say, a fundamental necessity too.

The New York Times

Greenwald (and this is needless to say for anyone who reads his work) does mind.

The New Yorker

It is, needless to say, not what the campaign has claimed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for brevity and impact, "is needless" is more effective than lengthier alternatives like "is not necessary".

Common error

While "is needless" is generally acceptable, overuse in very formal writing can make the tone sound overly dismissive. In such cases, consider using more neutral alternatives like "is not required" or "is unnecessary".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is needless" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a subject as unnecessary or not required. Ludwig examples show it often appears with 'to say', adding emphasis to an obvious statement. The Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

28%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is needless" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to express that something isn't required or is unnecessary. Based on Ludwig AI, it is perfectly correct for use in written English. It frequently appears in news, academic, and scientific contexts, conveying a sense of redundancy or lack of value. While it can be used in various settings, avoid overuse in very formal writing to maintain a balanced tone. Alternatives such as "is unnecessary" or "is superfluous" may suit different tones and registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is unnecessary

Direct synonym indicating lack of necessity.

is unneeded

Similar to unnecessary, emphasizing the absence of a need.

is superfluous

Suggests more than what is needed, making it redundant.

is gratuitous

Implies something is uncalled for or excessive.

is unwarranted

Indicates a lack of justification or reason.

is pointless

Highlights the lack of purpose or value.

is futile

Suggests ineffectiveness and wasted effort.

is avoidable

Emphasizes the possibility of preventing something.

serves no purpose

Expresses that something has no beneficial use.

is a waste of time

Focuses on the inefficient use of time.

FAQs

What does "is needless" mean?

The phrase "is needless" means something is unnecessary or not required. It implies that something provides no additional value or benefit in a given situation.

How can I use "is needless" in a sentence?

You can use "is needless" to indicate that an action, object, or idea isn't needed. For example, "Adding extra features at this stage is needless."

What can I say instead of "is needless"?

You can use alternatives like "is unnecessary", "is superfluous", or "is pointless" depending on the context.

Is "is needless" formal or informal?

"Is needless" is generally suitable for neutral to slightly formal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, consider using more neutral phrases such as "is not required".