is that useful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is that useful' is correct and usable in written English.
It functions as a question, usually asked after a statement in order to determine whether the information is useful or relevant to the current conversation. For example: "I recently read that eating celery can help reduce cholesterol levels." "Is that useful for someone who is already trying to lower their cholesterol?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The undesirable effect of detecting is that useful information is thrown away potentially in restricting the data flow.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

One terrible myth of higher education is that useful degrees = things that get you a job, while useless degrees = things that don't get you a job.

Vice

Its motions are no more just the motions of a documentary or autobiography than the motions of travel are coequal with those of adventure; if there is a self-supported fiction to be found in Portuguese, it is that useful sort that holds out higher hope of salvation than any more modest truth ever seeks.

Huffington Post

"The wider the cultural divide, the less likely it is that useful connectionsbetween the worlds of science and medicine will be made".

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

One of the key ideas behind the wisdom of crowds is that useful insights and information can come from anywhere, even from places you wouldn't, at first, think to look.

The New Yorker

Why is that useful?

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"My wish is that they become useful.

Unicef

"And is that… useful?" he asked.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We want our gifts to be something that is useful; something that is apppreciated.

Huffington Post

That is the useful thing".

The Guardian - Books

"It's not that useful.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is that useful" to politely challenge assumptions or assertions by prompting the speaker to clarify the relevance or benefit of what they've said.

Common error

Avoid assuming a negative connotation when asking "is that useful?". The question is meant to encourage further explanation, not necessarily to dismiss the initial statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is that useful" functions as an interrogative expression used to question the relevance, practicality, or benefit of a statement, idea, or action. It seeks clarification on whether something has a purpose or value in a specific context. As Ludwig AI explains, it is a common and grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is that useful" is a versatile interrogative phrase that plays a significant role in various contexts, primarily within News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business domains. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression. It serves the crucial purpose of questioning the relevance, practicality, or benefit of something, prompting further explanation and critical evaluation. Remember to use it to encourage clarification and avoid any negative connotations. It is a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

does that serve a purpose

Focuses on the intention or goal behind something, questioning if it actually achieves anything.

is that of any benefit

Highlights the potential positive outcomes or advantages of something, questioning if it provides any.

does that have any value

Examines the worth or significance of something, questioning its overall importance.

is that advantageous

Explores whether something is helpful or beneficial in a particular situation.

is that relevant

Focuses on whether something is connected or pertinent to the current topic or situation.

is that practical

Questions whether something is feasible or suitable for real-world application.

is that effective

Highlights whether something is successful in producing a desired result.

is that worthwhile

Focuses on whether something is worth the time, effort, or resources invested in it.

is that constructive

Questions whether something contributes positively to a discussion or situation.

is there a use for that

This inquires if something has any practical application or purpose.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is that useful"?

You can use alternatives like "does that serve a purpose", "is that of any benefit", or "does that have any value" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "is that useful"?

It is appropriate to use "is that useful" when you want to politely inquire about the relevance, benefit, or practicality of something that has been said or suggested. It's best used when you need clarification on how something can be applied or why it matters.

What's the difference between "is that useful" and "is that helpful"?

"Is that useful" generally asks about the practical application or relevance of something. "Is that helpful" focuses more on whether something provides assistance or support. The choice depends on whether you're questioning the practicality or the supportive nature of the information.

How to respond when someone asks "is that useful"?

Provide a clear and concise explanation of why the information or suggestion is relevant or beneficial. Focus on the practical application or positive outcomes. For example, "Yes, "that is useful" because it directly addresses the problem we're trying to solve".