is not helpful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not helpful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something does not provide assistance or support in a particular context. Example: "The feedback I received on my project is not helpful, as it lacks specific suggestions for improvement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And that is not helpful".

The New York Times

But he is not helpful".

The New York Times

The concept is not helpful.

The New York Times - Books

But [the abuse] is not helpful.

The Guardian - Sport

"Sometimes safety is not helpful," he says.

The Guardian

The news is not helpful to Republicans.

The Washington Post

Publishing hysterical political propaganda is not helpful.

MIT Technology Review

Tax reform is not helpful to company.

The Washington Post

Setting teaching against research is not helpful.

The Guardian

That type of alarmism is not helpful.

Yale University

Therefore, City of Bishop is not helpful.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is not helpful", ensure that the reason for its lack of helpfulness is clear from the context. Avoid vague statements and provide specific details to explain why something is not providing assistance or support.

Common error

Avoid using "is not helpful" in highly informal conversations. In such settings, consider using more casual alternatives like "doesn't help" or "is no help".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not helpful" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a subject's quality of lacking assistance or support. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is a common way to express a lack of utility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

9%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is not helpful" is a versatile expression used to convey that something lacks assistance or support. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. It is commonly found in News & Media and Academic contexts. When using "is not helpful", ensure clarity by providing specific reasons for its ineffectiveness and considering more casual alternatives in informal settings. While "is not helpful" serves as a neutral term, phrases such as "is unhelpful", "does not assist", or "is counterproductive" may offer more nuanced expressions depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is unhelpful

Slightly more direct and concise, lacking the separation of "is" and "not".

is of no use

Emphasizes the lack of utility or value.

does not assist

More formal and emphasizes the lack of aid or support.

fails to support

Highlights the lack of backing or assistance.

is ineffective

Focuses on the lack of desired outcome or result.

is unproductive

Emphasizes the lack of positive output or results.

is counterproductive

Indicates that something is actively hindering progress rather than just failing to help.

is pointless

Suggests a lack of purpose or reason for existence.

is detrimental

Stronger, suggesting harm or damage is being caused.

is a waste of time

Indicates that the effort expended yields no valuable outcome.

FAQs

What does "is not helpful" mean?

The phrase "is not helpful" means that something or someone is not providing assistance, support, or a positive contribution in a particular situation.

How can I use "is not helpful" in a sentence?

You can use "is not helpful" to express that something is not providing assistance. For instance, "The feedback I received on my project "is not helpful", as it lacks specific suggestions for improvement."

What are some alternatives to "is not helpful"?

Alternatives to "is not helpful" include "is unhelpful", "does not assist", or "is ineffective" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "is unhelpful" or "is not helpful"?

Both "is unhelpful" and "is not helpful" are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. The choice often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations. "Is unhelpful" is slightly more concise.