it proved useful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it proved useful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that something was beneficial or helpful in a particular situation or context. Example: "After conducting the experiment, it proved useful in understanding the chemical reactions involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

SAGE would ultimately prove outdated before it proved useful but its creation allowed IBM to become the powerhouse it is today.

Vice

Investigators recovered video from a nearby surveillance camera, and it proved useful in solving the case, the police said.

The New York Times

Augustine's interpretation was linked not only to personal experience and thought but to the politics of his day: it proved useful to the emperor.

The New Yorker

And it proved useful in distracting me from the songs Ms. Diane was singing, most of which featured lyrics (by Jill Winters) of wince-making inanity.

The New York Times

To introduce this symmetry into the theory of the nuclear force, it proved useful to adopt the mathematics describing the spin of particles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It proved useful the night the cameras watched him fry hundreds of eggs in a giant frying pan, or try to.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

If it proves useful it could be adapted for use in other forms of physical therapy.

TechCrunch

It proves useful to approach the olfactory bulb and cortex, its connections to the periventricular brain and subventricular zones using horizontal sections.

BMC Veterinary Research

"If it proves useful to people who are really suffering, we should look at it.

The New Yorker

How will it prove useful to civil servants and policy making?

The Guardian

This so-called apoptosis inhibitor is now being tested on patients in clinical trials to see if it proves useful in preventing healthy brain cells from committing suicide after heart attacks, strokes and nerve-damaging diseases.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by sometimes placing "it" at the beginning of the sentence, and other times use it as a continuation from previous sentences, which can improve the flow of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it proved useful" when you mean to say someone actively proved something. "Proved" in this context is passive. For example, instead of saying "He proved useful the tool", say "The tool proved useful to him" or "He proved the tool was useful".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it proved useful" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject "it". Ludwig AI indicates, the examples show how the phrase is used to express that something was beneficial or helpful in a particular context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

54%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it proved useful" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, commonly found in various contexts like News & Media and scientific articles, and suitable for both formal and informal communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively communicates that something was helpful or beneficial. When writing, consider using synonyms like "it was helpful" or "it was beneficial" to add variety to your language and avoid misusing the word 'prove' in an active sense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it turned out to be helpful

Emphasizes the outcome of being helpful, focusing on the result.

it was effective

Highlights the capability to produce a desired result or effect.

it was beneficial

Highlights the advantages or positive effects of something.

it was advantageous

Highlights the benefits and favorable circumstances provided by something.

it served its purpose

Indicates that something fulfilled its intended function effectively.

it facilitated progress

Highlights the fact something made progress easier to achieve

it contributed positively

Focuses on the positive addition or impact of something.

it was of value

Focuses on the worth or importance of something in a particular context.

it aided in the process

Emphasizes the assistance provided by something in achieving a specific goal.

it came in handy

Suggests that something was useful when needed, often unexpectedly.

FAQs

What does "it proved useful" mean?

The phrase "it proved useful" means that something turned out to be helpful or beneficial in a particular situation. It indicates that its usefulness was demonstrated or confirmed by the outcome.

How can I use "it proved useful" in a sentence?

You can use "it proved useful" to describe a situation where something provided a benefit or advantage. For example: "The new software "it proved useful" in streamlining our workflow."

What are some alternatives to "it proved useful"?

Some alternatives to "it proved useful" include "it was helpful", "it was beneficial", "it came in handy", or "it served its purpose". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it proved useful" formal or informal?

"It proved useful" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might opt for a more sophisticated synonym such as "it was advantageous" or "it was instrumental".