is of limited use

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is of limited use" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has restricted applicability or effectiveness in a particular context. Example: "The new software update is of limited use for users who rely on older operating systems."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Apart from communication purposes, the usefulness of such a global measure is of limited use in environmental management, where sub-indexes may be more relevant.

Plosone

A car is of limited use here.

The New York Times - Travel

But the device is of limited use to small businesses.

The New York Times

Frank is a melancholy Prospero, whose magic is money – but that is of limited use.

The Guardian - Books

Subtitling is of limited use in countries with 40percentt literacy rates.

The New York Times

But if you actually want to govern, such thinking is of limited use.

The New York Times - Books

But their experience is of limited use to the North and the East.

The New York Times

Before six months, behavioral testing is of limited use in determining hearing threshold levels.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A bigger problem is that Mr Shawcross's comparison is of limited use.

The Economist

So the service is of limited use for those people who keep large amounts of data.

The New York Times - Tech

Unless one of these guys begins piecing together a Dufneresque charge, this info is of limited use in itself.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is of limited use", clearly specify the context or situation where its utility is restricted to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "This tool is of limited use", specify "This tool is of limited use in advanced data analysis".

Common error

Avoid implying complete uselessness when something "is of limited use". The phrase suggests it has some value, just not in all situations or to a great extent. Be clear about the specific limitations rather than making a sweeping negative statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is of limited use" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something's usefulness or applicability is restricted or not as extensive as it could be. This can be confirmed by Ludwig AI that indicates that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is of limited use" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something has restricted utility in a particular situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, from scientific discourse to news reporting. When employing this phrase, be specific about the limitations to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "has limited utility" or "is not very effective" can be used to convey similar meanings, while it's important to note that "is of limited use" doesn't imply total uselessness, but rather a restricted scope of application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has limited utility

Focuses on the practical usefulness or function being restricted.

is not very effective

Emphasizes the lack of desired outcome or impact.

is hardly useful

Highlights the minimal level of usefulness.

is of little value

Stresses the low importance or worth.

offers marginal benefit

Indicates a small, almost insignificant advantage.

provides minimal assistance

Focuses on the slight degree of help provided.

is scarcely applicable

Highlights the rare suitability or relevance.

has restricted applicability

Emphasizes the confined scope or range of use.

is of marginal relevance

Indicates the low importance or pertinence.

doesn't offer much advantage

Focuses on the scarce positive aspect from something.

FAQs

How can I use "is of limited use" in a sentence?

You can use "is of limited use" to indicate that something has a restricted applicability or effectiveness in a particular context. For instance, "The software is of limited use without a stable internet connection".

What are some alternatives to "is of limited use"?

Alternatives include "has limited utility", "is not very effective", or "is of little value", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "is of limited use" or "is useless"?

"Is of limited use" implies that something has some value, but its usefulness is restricted. "Is useless" means it has no value at all. The choice depends on the accuracy of your description. If it has some value, however small, then "is of limited use" is more accurate.

What does it mean when something "is of limited use" in a particular situation?

It means that its effectiveness or applicability is restricted in that specific scenario. It might still be useful in other contexts, but in the given situation, its value is reduced.