is utterly pointless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is utterly pointless" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to make a point that something is utterly pointless or has no point whatsoever. For example: "Trying to solve this problem is utterly pointless; it's too complex for us to figure out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"This is utterly pointless of course.

The Guardian

The city has asked Judge Patel to dismiss the suit, saying it is "utterly pointless" to continue processing the application "since there is zero possibility" of approval.

The New York Times

Mr Johnson later said: "The blame for this strike lies squarely with union leaders, who have resorted to myths and stunts in a pathetic attempt to justify a strike that is utterly pointless".

Independent

"I recognise in some cases it is difficult, and I feel enormous sympathy for Londoners this morning, but the blame for this strike lies squarely with union leaders who have resorted to myths and stunts in a pathetic attempt to justify a strike that is utterly pointless".

Independent

And the Guinness World Record that Roker beat is utterly pointless: the official tops was 24 hours of non-stop weather forecasting, although NBC did manage to find a 33-hour broadcast completed by the Norwegian weather broadcaster Eli Kari Gjengedal in September, which hasn't yet been made official.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is utterly pointless setting immigration targets when you can't even decide who comes in to this country.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

To me, that would be utterly pointless.

The Guardian

It has been utterly pointless to argue on the facts.

The Guardian

It's utterly pointless and you need no skill whatsoever, but good luck putting it down.

The Guardian - Tech

It was utterly pointless of course, but I was just looking to make a point," an anonymous former inmate told the Guardian.

The Guardian

Every single piece has to get to its destination in perfect nick, or the months-long trip will have been utterly pointless.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is utterly pointless", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates why the subject lacks purpose or value. This strengthens the impact of your statement and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

While emphatic, using "is utterly pointless" too often can make your writing sound overly negative or informal. Consider milder alternatives like "ineffective" or "inconsequential" in formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is utterly pointless" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a subject as lacking any purpose or value. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, making it a straightforward way to express futility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is utterly pointless" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey that something lacks purpose or value. As per Ludwig AI, it's a valid phrase for expressing a negative assessment. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal contexts. If formality is required, consider alternatives such as "ineffective" or "inconsequential". The phrase appears frequently in news and media and less so in academic or scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Serves absolutely no purpose

This alternative emphasizes the complete lack of purpose or benefit, rather than explicitly stating pointlessness.

Is completely futile

This alternative uses the word "futile", which directly relates to the inability to produce any useful result.

Has no value whatsoever

This focuses on the lack of value, highlighting that something is not just pointless, but also without any worth.

Is a complete waste of time

This alternative highlights the time aspect of something being pointless, implying that it's not worth investing time in.

Is without merit

This alternative emphasizes that something is not worthy or deserving of praise or recognition.

Is of no consequence

This alternative highlights the lack of importance of the topic.

Achieves nothing

Focuses on the lack of accomplishment or result from the action, implying its pointlessness.

Is an exercise in futility

This alternative presents the situation as an example of actions that consistently fail to achieve their desired outcome.

Is simply worthless

This alternative stresses the lack of value or usefulness in a simpler, more direct way.

Is a dead end

This suggests there is no progress or positive outcome that can come from the present activity.

FAQs

How can I use "is utterly pointless" in a sentence?

You can use "is utterly pointless" to express that something has no purpose or is a waste of time. For example, "Arguing with him about this issue is utterly pointless."

What can I say instead of "is utterly pointless"?

You can use alternatives like "serves absolutely no purpose", "is completely futile", or "has no value whatsoever" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "is utterly pointless" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "is utterly pointless" may be considered too strong for some formal contexts. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "is ineffective" or "is inconsequential".

What's the difference between "is utterly pointless" and "is completely pointless"?

The phrases "is utterly pointless" and "is completely pointless" are largely interchangeable. "Utterly" and "completely" both serve to emphasize the lack of purpose, so the difference is minimal.