is not very helpful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not very helpful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something does not provide sufficient assistance or support in a given context. Example: "The information provided in the report is not very helpful for making a decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have learned that anger is not very helpful, but I can't help myself.

The Guardian

This is not very helpful.

What Went Wrong? Case Histories of Process Plant Disasters and How They Could Hare Been Avoided

But that alone is not very helpful.

The New York Times - Tech

Developing strategy through historical analogy is not very helpful.

The New York Times

Apart from that, however, his treatise is not very helpful.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Selling ads is not very helpful and is clearly detrimental to others".

The Guardian

The wine list, with no vintages and not many winery names, is not very helpful.

The New York Times - Travel

The problem is that the screening test is not very helpful in preventing breast cancer deaths.

The New York Times

The park service is not very helpful on these rock art queries.

The New York Times - Travel

"The rapid change of officials is not very helpful because we need focus".

The New York Times

"Telling patients that they need to diet or lose weight is not very helpful," Chien said.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "is not very helpful", follow it with a specific explanation of why something lacks utility. Providing context enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "is not very helpful" as a standalone criticism. Instead, elaborate on the specific shortcomings or inadequacies to provide constructive feedback and improve understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not very helpful" functions as a subject complement, describing a noun or pronoun and indicating a lack of utility or assistance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, demonstrating it in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is not very helpful" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something provides insufficient assistance or support. According to Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, academia, and general discussions. When employing this phrase, ensure you provide specific reasons for the lack of utility to enhance clarity and impact. While versatile, avoid overuse without qualification to maintain constructive and informative communication. Related alternatives include "is not particularly useful" and "does not offer much assistance". These options offer subtle variations in meaning, allowing for nuanced expression in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not particularly useful

This alternative focuses on the lack of practical application or value, rather than direct helpfulness.

is not especially beneficial

This alternative highlights the lack of positive impact or advantage.

does not offer much assistance

This emphasizes the limited support or aid provided.

is of limited value

This phrase indicates that something has some value, but not a great deal.

is of little use

This suggests that something is almost entirely unhelpful or impractical.

is not so effective

This highlights a deficiency in achieving the desired outcome or result.

is somewhat unhelpful

This emphasizes that it provides some, but limited, benefit.

is marginally useful

This indicates that it is only slightly or barely useful.

doesn't contribute significantly

This suggests that it does not add a substantial amount of value or support.

is only partly helpful

This highlights that it only addresses a portion of the need or issue.

FAQs

What does "is not very helpful" mean?

The phrase "is not very helpful" means something provides limited or insufficient assistance, support, or utility in a particular context. It suggests a deficiency in effectiveness or practicality.

What can I say instead of "is not very helpful"?

You can use alternatives like "is not particularly useful", "is of little use", or "does not offer much assistance" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "is not very helpful" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "is not very helpful" when you want to express that something lacks sufficient support or effectiveness. Ensure you provide context to clarify why it is not helpful.

What is the difference between "is not very helpful" and "is unhelpful"?

"Is unhelpful" implies a complete lack of assistance, while "is not very helpful" suggests some limited utility but not enough to be truly beneficial. The former is a stronger, more definitive statement.