less than useful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than useful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not very helpful or effective. Example: "The instructions provided were less than useful, leaving us confused about the next steps."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Ms. McKenna finds those messages less than useful: "The homeland-security alerts have GOT to go," she wrote.

The New York Times - Tech

Before wasting money on products that may be less than useful, patients should consult an eye doctor who specializes in low vision.

The New York Times - Health

After moving to Manhattan, Harth, who was raised on a farm in Minnesota, found his skills proved less than useful and ended up working as a model and producer for the photographer Ryan McGinley.

The New York Times

Each of the e-travel agencies uses its resort listings as little more than a gateway for hotel and air-fare sales -- which can be useful in turning up deals once you've decided on a destination, but less than useful for narrowing your resort choices.

The New York Times - Travel

The comparison is fair not because of the nature of the "crime" – wholly unsavory as Dempsey's behavior was, it's as distinct in its nature from Solo's alleged assault on her nephew, or for that matter the Ray Rice incident that's unhelpfully been brought into the conversation, as to make any direct comparison less than useful.

The Guardian - Sport

But even meaningful initiatives -- such as requiring a conference among biological and foster parents, caseworkers and advocates within 72 hours of a child's removal -- can be less than useful if the caseworkers aren't clear about what to do, the report said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

But college grads, especially those of us who ended up with less-than-useful degrees, found the city closing itself to us.

Vice

It is, in the words of an esteemed colleague, the leader's job to be the "shit umbrella": to protect staff from the less-than-useful messages that appear from above.

The Guardian

If much of this seems less than entirely useful, consider that at least some of these companies may well bring in billions of dollars; Y Combinator alums include Airbnb, Dropbox, and Soylent.

The New Yorker

Advance directives, then, are no more and no less than a useful formal expression of this essential, qualified communication process.

BMC Health Services Research

As no iodine contrast agents should be used, CT is less useful than US-guided FNAC.

Cancer Imaging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less than useful", consider specifying why something is not useful. For instance, instead of saying "The tool was less than useful", specify: "The tool was less than useful because it lacked key features."

Common error

While "less than useful" is generally acceptable, it can sometimes sound informal in very formal or academic writing. Consider stronger, more precise alternatives like "ineffective" or "inadequate" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than useful" functions as a qualifier, specifically an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something does not provide significant utility or benefit. As Ludwig AI states, it describes something that is not very helpful or effective.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

21%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less than useful" is a grammatically sound and common way to express that something is not particularly helpful or effective. As shown by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It serves as a qualifier and can be used in varied contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific discussions, though it tends to appear more frequently in news and media outlets. While versatile, writers should consider whether more precise or formal alternatives like "ineffective" or "inadequate" might be more appropriate depending on the specific context and desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not very helpful

Replaces "less than" with "not very", directly expressing a lack of helpfulness.

barely useful

Emphasizes the minimal level of usefulness.

somewhat ineffective

Substitutes "useful" with its antonym, "ineffective", adding a nuance of inefficacy.

not particularly effective

Similar to "not very helpful", but focuses on the lack of effectiveness.

marginally beneficial

Indicates a slight degree of benefit, but overall limited impact.

of limited value

Focuses on the restricted worth or importance of something.

scarcely advantageous

Highlights the rarity of advantages provided.

hardly practical

Stresses the lack of practicality in real-world applications.

nominally helpful

Implies help is offered only in name, not in substance.

not especially valuable

Emphasizes that something isn't particularly valuable or important.

FAQs

How can I use "less than useful" in a sentence?

You can use "less than useful" to describe something that does not provide a significant benefit or is not very helpful. For example: "The instructions were "less than useful", leaving us more confused than before".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "less than useful"?

Alternatives to "less than useful" include phrases like "not very helpful", "barely useful", or "somewhat ineffective". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less than useful"?

Yes, the phrase "less than useful" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English. It is used to indicate that something is not as helpful or effective as one might expect.

What is the difference between "less than useful" and "useless"?

"Less than useful" indicates that something has some value, but not much, whereas "useless" implies that something has no value or benefit at all. "Less than useful" is a milder expression than "useless".