is of no use

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is of no use" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something or someone is not useful or helpful, or when talking about something that has no value. For example: "The knowledge I have on this subject is of no use to me here."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"And that is of no use to us".

The New Yorker

Belief without any practice is of no use to us.

The Guardian - Books

This is not to say that the neoclassical model is of no use to us, at some level it does what it says.

The Guardian

The heart ace is of no use.

The New York Times

Alas, discussion is of no use.

The New York Times

But Rogério is of no use.

The Guardian - Travel

Beating them is of no use.

The New York Times

Therefore Tsvangirai is of no use to them.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is of no use in a real-time situation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Making sport of films that have no cultural currency is of no use to anyone.

The New York Times

Meal for two, including wine and service, £140 This review is of no use to you.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is of no use", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is failing to assist or benefit. Providing specific reasons enhances clarity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "is of no use" can sound less professional in certain formal settings. Consider stronger, more direct alternatives like "is ineffective" or "is unhelpful" for increased impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is of no use" functions as a predicative expression, indicating that something lacks utility, effectiveness, or benefit. Ludwig confirms this is correct and usable. Examples show it describing ineffectiveness across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is of no use" is a versatile expression used to convey that something or someone lacks utility or effectiveness. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and widely employed across various contexts. The frequency analysis reveals that it's most common in news and media, followed by scientific and encyclopedic sources. For alternative expressions, consider "is not helpful" or "is ineffective", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to ensure clarity by specifying what exactly "is of no use" and why. While generally neutral in tone, using more formal synonyms may be preferable in certain professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not helpful

Focuses on the lack of assistance provided.

is ineffective

Highlights the lack of desired outcome or impact.

is pointless

Emphasizes the absence of a valid purpose or reason.

is futile

Suggests the action is incapable of producing any result.

is unavailing

Indicates the effort yields no positive outcome.

is worthless

Stresses the lack of value or merit.

serves no purpose

Emphasizes the absence of a function or goal.

is all for naught

Implies efforts have been wasted and are without result.

is of no avail

Indicates a lack of success or positive result from an effort.

doesn't make a difference

Highlights the lack of impact or change resulting from something.

FAQs

What does "is of no use" mean?

The phrase "is of no use" means that something or someone is not helpful, beneficial, or effective in a particular situation. It indicates a lack of utility or value.

How can I use "is of no use" in a sentence?

You can use "is of no use" to express that something is not helpful or effective. For example, "Trying to argue with him "is of no use" since he never listens."

What are some alternatives to "is of no use"?

Alternatives to "is of no use" include "is ineffective", "is pointless", or "is not helpful". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "being of no use" the same as "is of no use"?

Yes, "being of no use" conveys a similar meaning to "is of no use". Both phrases indicate a lack of utility or effectiveness. For example, "His advice, being of no use, was ignored by everyone" conveys the same meaning as "His advice "is of no use"".