less useful than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less useful than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the usefulness of two or more items, indicating that one is not as useful as the other. Example: "The new software is less useful than the previous version, which had more features."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

Cancer Imaging

Fingar says yes, for an interesting reason: top-secret information is becoming less useful than it used to be.

The New York Times - Magazine

That's even less useful than critical reading.

The Washington Post

Under Metcalfe's law, Facebook is vastly less useful than MySpace.

The New Yorker

The film is full of failed exchanges, each less useful than the yellow line they're painting.

The Guardian - Film

And some innovations have turned out to be less useful than hoped.

The New York Times - Health

Energy less useful than free energy is returned to the environment, usually as heat.

Britannica

And the ordinary winds are less useful than they might be because Japan is so mountainous.

The Economist

And even the hydropower that big dams offer is less useful than their builders claim.

The Economist

Seeing a roomful of his bowler hats is very much less useful than seeing one example.

Independent

Some students also believed the ICDSF was less useful than actual clinical placements.

Nurse Education Today

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less useful than" to make a direct comparison. If you simply want to state something is not useful, consider alternatives like "ineffective" or "impractical".

Common error

Avoid using "less useful than" without a clear point of comparison. Ensure the reader understands what the item is being compared to. Without context, the statement becomes vague and uninformative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less useful than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to indicate that one thing has a lower degree of utility or effectiveness compared to another. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is commonly used to draw contrasts between different options or methods.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less useful than" serves as a versatile tool for comparing the relative utility of different options across a wide range of contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and frequent usage in news, scientific, and academic sources demonstrate its broad applicability. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the comparison is clear and well-defined, and to avoid using it without a specific reference point. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, writers can effectively use "less useful than" to convey meaningful and informative comparisons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as helpful as

Emphasizes the lack of assistance or support provided.

not as beneficial as

Highlights the reduced positive impact or advantage.

less effective than

Focuses on the decreased ability to produce a desired result.

not as valuable as

Stresses the lower worth or importance.

inferior to

Indicates a lower quality or status.

subpar compared to

Highlights that something is below an expected standard.

less practical than

Emphasizes the reduced suitability for real-world application.

not as advantageous as

Focuses on a reduced benefit or gain.

outweighed by

Suggests that the cons are larger than the pros when compared to something else.

overshadowed by

Highlights that its usefulness is hindered by a more useful alternative.

FAQs

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

Use "less useful than" to compare the relative utility of two items, indicating that one is not as effective or beneficial as the other. For example, "For this particular task, a hammer is "less useful than" a screwdriver".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "less useful than"?

You can use alternatives such as "not as helpful as", "not as beneficial as", or "less effective than" to express a similar comparison.

Is it always necessary to specify what something is "less useful than"?

Yes, providing a clear comparison is crucial for understanding. Without specifying the alternative, the statement lacks context and may be misinterpreted. It's like saying something is smaller, without indicating what it is smaller than.

How does "less useful than" differ from saying something is "useless"?

"Less useful than" implies a comparison, suggesting that while something has some utility, another option is better. "Useless" implies a complete lack of utility. For example, a map might be "less useful than" a GPS in a city, but a broken compass is useless.