it was not helpful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was not helpful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something did not provide the assistance or information you were expecting or needing. Example: "After reviewing the feedback from my supervisor, I realized that it was not helpful in improving my project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

It was not helpful".

The Guardian

"But it was not helpful.

The New Yorker

"But, at that moment in time, it was not helpful..

The New York Times

"If it was not helpful to your performance, then no one would practice.

The New York Times - Sports

"His attitude was don't cut unless it was not helpful to the campaign".

The New York Times

And it was not helpful that Stenham's play had just been hailed the best debut in a quarter of a century.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

It wasn't helpful at all.

Huffington Post

Clearly it wasn't helpful," she said of his comment.

Huffington Post

But at least half of you who tried medication have told me it wasn't helpful.

Huffington Post

It's not helpful to Natasha".

The New York Times - Magazine

It's not helpful to the doctor.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was not helpful", be specific about what "it" refers to. Clearly define the subject to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "the advice was not helpful", say "the advice from the consultant was not helpful in addressing the company's declining sales".

Common error

Avoid relying solely on passive constructions like "it was not helpful". Sometimes, an active voice can make your writing more direct and impactful. For instance, instead of "it was not helpful", consider "the new software didn't help us improve efficiency".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was not helpful" functions as a subjective assessment expressing that something failed to provide assistance or benefit. It is commonly used to offer a mild critique or evaluation, as demonstrated by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was not helpful" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express that something failed to provide assistance or benefit. According to Ludwig, it’s suitable for various contexts, ranging from neutral to professional, with the majority of its occurrences found in news and media. While simple, clarity is important to use this phrase correctly, ensuring that the subject is well defined. Alternatives like "it proved unhelpful" or "it offered no assistance" can be considered for more formal settings. Overall, the phrase is a versatile tool for expressing mild critique or evaluation, as Ludwig AI confirms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it did not help

Changes the verb from adjective to verb form; slightly more direct.

it proved unhelpful

Replaces "was not helpful" with a single adjective, emphasizing the result.

it offered no assistance

More formal and emphasizes the lack of support provided.

it was of no use

Emphasizes the lack of utility or benefit.

it didn't make a difference

Focuses on the lack of impact or effect.

it was counterproductive

Indicates that it actively hindered progress.

it was detrimental

Highlights the harmful or damaging aspect.

it failed to assist

A more formal way of stating that help was not provided.

it served no purpose

Emphasizes the lack of a useful function.

it was a hindrance

Highlights that it created an obstacle.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was not helpful" to sound more formal?

Consider using phrases like "it proved unhelpful", "it offered no assistance", or "it was of no use" depending on the context. These options provide a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "it was not helpful" and "it was unhelpful"?

While both phrases convey a lack of assistance, "it was unhelpful" is slightly more concise and direct. "It was not helpful" can sometimes sound more conversational, whereas "it was unhelpful" is often preferred in formal writing.

How to use "it was not helpful" in a sentence?

You can use "it was not helpful" to express that something failed to provide the expected or needed assistance. For example: "The training session "it was not helpful" in preparing us for the new software rollout."

When is it appropriate to use "it was not helpful"?

It's appropriate to use "it was not helpful" in situations where you want to express that something did not provide the expected or needed assistance, but you wish to avoid being overly critical or harsh. It's a relatively neutral way to convey a lack of benefit or utility.