it is useless to ask

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is useless to ask" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that inquiring about something will not yield any beneficial results or answers. Example: "Given the circumstances, it is useless to ask for their opinion on the matter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"It is useless to ask a seriously injured person if he has high cholesterol and about the level of his blood sugars.

The New York Times

"It is useless to ask a seriously injured person if he has high cholesterol, or about the level of his blood sugars.

The New Yorker

"It is useless to ask a seriously injured person if he has high cholesterol and about the level of his blood sugars," he said.

BBC

It is useless to ask the gods for what one can obtain for oneself.

Huffington Post

It is useless to ask a patient whether he/she would prefer chemotherapy instead of radiotherapy in case he/she is able to afford only one of the alternatives.

Human Resources for Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

By the same token, it would also be useless to ask the patient whether he/she prefers an immunological examination or a magnetic resonance scan.

Human Resources for Health

"But it is useless to talk about this now".

BBC

It is useless to argue the freedom of the press.

The Guardian

It is useless to analyze it further.

Huffington Post

It is useless with such people to be passive, and it is useless to avoid the issue.

Wikipedia

It was useless to resist".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is useless to ask", ensure the context clearly indicates why the inquiry is pointless. Provide a reason or explanation to strengthen the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "it is useless to ask" without providing sufficient context. Without explaining why the question is pointless, the phrase can sound dismissive or confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is useless to ask" functions as a statement of futility. It indicates that seeking information or an answer through questioning will not yield any beneficial results. The Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is useless to ask" is a grammatically correct expression used to convey the futility of seeking information through questioning. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears primarily in News & Media and Scientific contexts. Alternative phrases, such as "it's pointless to ask" or "there's no point in asking", offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone. When employing this phrase, clarity is paramount; always provide context to explain why the inquiry is deemed unproductive. This ensures the message is well received, avoiding the risk of sounding dismissive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's pointless to ask

Changes the structure while retaining the core meaning of futility.

there's no point in asking

Uses a more direct and common expression to indicate the lack of value in asking.

there's no use in asking

Similar to "there's no point", but uses "use" to convey the lack of benefit.

asking is futile

Simplifies the sentence structure, focusing on the futility of the act itself.

it would be pointless to ask

Adds a conditional aspect, suggesting the act is hypothetically pointless.

it's a waste of time to ask

Emphasizes the time investment aspect of asking, suggesting it will be unproductive.

why bother asking?

A rhetorical question that implies asking is not worth the effort.

it's unproductive to ask

Focuses on the lack of productivity or positive outcome from asking.

it serves no purpose to ask

Highlights the lack of purpose or benefit derived from asking.

inquiring would be fruitless

Uses a more formal tone and vocabulary to express the lack of results.

FAQs

How can I use "it is useless to ask" in a sentence?

You can use "it is useless to ask" when you want to express that inquiring about something will not produce any helpful results or answers. For instance, you might say, "It is useless to ask him for help; he never offers any".

What are some alternatives to "it is useless to ask"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it's pointless to ask", "there's no point in asking", or "asking is futile", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "it is useless to ask" formal or informal?

"It is useless to ask" is relatively neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more direct alternatives might be preferred in casual conversation.

What's the difference between "it is useless to ask" and "it is not worth asking"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "it is useless to ask" focuses on the lack of value or helpfulness in the answer, whereas "it is not worth asking" emphasizes that the effort of asking is not justified by the potential outcome. The first focuses on the answer while the second one focuses on the useless effort of asking.