Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

lack of usefulness

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of usefulness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that does not provide any practical value or benefit. Example: "The report was criticized for its lack of usefulness in addressing the current issues faced by the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The most commonly investigated barriers were lack of use (14/25), lack of awareness (12/25), lack of access (11/25), lack of familiarity (7/25), lack of usefulness (7/25), lack of motivation (4/25) and external barriers (5/25).

Science

BMJ Open

"Fewer parents speak minority languages to their children because of the perceived lack of usefulness.

News & Media

Independent

There was also the fraught question of whether the Jews owned accidental complicity in their own fate, by too seldom standing up to the jackboot: bizarrely, with an exuberant lack of usefulness, some of these debates continue today.

News & Media

The Guardian

The only downside would be the lack of usefulness outside the US, which happens often enough throughout the year that I'm apprehensive about locking myself into a two-year contract with Sprint.

News & Media

TechCrunch

Therefore, this lack of awareness of the guidelines related to energy wood harvesting and their lack of usefulness as perceived by the Finnish NIPFs certainly indicates that these issues need to be addressed by the bioenergy actors and policy makers in Finland.

Furthermore, the lack of usefulness of public works in generating medium- to longer-run effects is supported by Carling and Richardson (2004) as well as Sianesi (2008), who conclude in their evaluations that the closer an ALMP is to regular work the better its effects for the participants.

Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Fiction's lack of practical usefulness is what gives it its special freedom.

News & Media

The New Yorker

These barriers include lack of perceived usefulness, complicated social and economic factors, and the difficulty for users to interpret the advice given by the system.

Seven surveys measured lack of perceived usefulness as a possible barrier.

Science

BMJ Open

The lack of clinical usefulness of symptoms is also confirmed by the positive likelihood ratio of the symptoms.

The potential of philosophical-ethical theory for concrete questions in medical ethics has been doubted for various reasons, such as a perceived lack of practical usefulness or problems arising from morally pluralistic societies [ 18, 19].

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing barriers to adoption or implementation, use "lack of usefulness" to highlight the perception that a tool, technology, or strategy provides no tangible benefit to the user or organization.

Common error

Avoid using "lack of usefulness" when a tool or strategy has some limited value, but does not fully meet expectations. Instead, consider using phrases like "limited usefulness" or "suboptimal performance" to more accurately reflect the situation.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of usefulness" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the absence of a beneficial or practical quality. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in expressing this absence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lack of usefulness" is a grammatically correct noun phrase that describes the absence of practical value or benefit. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While relatively uncommon, it is effectively employed across diverse fields, primarily within scientific and news media contexts. When writing, it is important to consider the severity of the situation, using alternative phrases when appropriate. Understanding the concept, synonyms, and usage contexts helps in leveraging the phrase effectively in both formal and informal communications.

FAQs

What does "lack of usefulness" mean?

The phrase "lack of usefulness" refers to the state of something not being helpful, practical, or beneficial. It suggests that the subject in question does not provide any value or serve a practical purpose in a given context.

What are some synonyms for "lack of usefulness"?

Some synonyms for "lack of usefulness" include "absence of utility", "deficiency in practicality", "ineffectiveness", and "futility". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How can I use "lack of usefulness" in a sentence?

You can use "lack of usefulness" to describe something that doesn't provide a practical value or benefit. For example: "The study was criticized for its lack of usefulness in solving the problem."

Is it better to say "lack of usefulness" or "lack of utility"?

Both "lack of usefulness" and "lack of utility" are grammatically correct, but "lack of usefulness" is generally more common and easier to understand. "Lack of utility" may be more appropriate in formal or technical contexts, though.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: