less useful to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less useful to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the usefulness of something in relation to a specific subject or context. Example: "The new software is less useful to our team than the previous version."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Predictions might be less useful to us, because we have so much stronger building codes," she said.

Los Angeles Times

But that background is often less useful to other employers.

The New York Times

But will it be more or less useful to people than integrating Foursquare check-ins?

The Guardian - Tech

It's a powerful idea, but one that's less useful to the more recreational reader.

The New Yorker

When the air is warmer, yawning becomes less useful to the brain.

Princeton University

Turkey is also less useful to Israel in NATO because of Mr. Erdogan's policies.

The New York Times

That would reduce their political problems, but make the cooperation less useful to Washington, politically and militarily.

The New York Times

"But that makes them no less dangerous or any less useful to a person committing an act of terrorism".

The Guardian

Perhaps it's because functioning courts are less useful to corporations than opaque and unjust arbitration by corporate lawyers.

The Guardian - Opinion

First, clinical decision rules are less useful to identity patients with a low pre-test probability.

Thrombosis Research

Over time, that would make their advice less useful to officials who might otherwise benefit from it.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less useful to", ensure you clearly specify to whom or for what something is less useful. This provides necessary context and avoids ambiguity. For example, "This data is less useful to marketers than it is to researchers."

Common error

Avoid using "less useful to" without a specific point of reference. Saying "This tool is less useful" is vague. Instead, clarify by saying "This tool is less useful to beginners who lack technical skills."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less useful to" primarily functions as a comparative adjective phrase followed by a preposition. It describes a diminished level of utility or benefit that something provides in relation to a specific person, group, or purpose. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples in its database.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

28%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less useful to" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a diminished level of utility or benefit for a specific recipient or purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It's common across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. When using "less useful to", ensure clarity by specifying who or what finds it less useful. Alternatives include "not as helpful for" or "less beneficial to", which can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey. This expression serves to express a qualified judgment, highlighting a limitation and inviting a comparison. Its prevalence and adaptability make it a valuable tool for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as helpful for

Replaces "useful" with "helpful" maintaining a similar meaning, but it is a slightly different word choice

not as beneficial for

Substitutes "useful" with "beneficial", emphasizing the lack of advantage or gain.

less advantageous for

Replaces "useful" with "advantageous", focusing on the reduced benefit in a competitive sense.

of limited use to

Rephrases the sentence structure, highlighting that something has a restricted application.

not particularly valuable to

Emphasizes the diminished worth or importance for a specific entity.

not very effective for

Focuses on reduced effectiveness in achieving a specific outcome.

less relevant to

Indicates a weaker connection or applicability to a particular subject or context.

not well-suited for

Suggests that something is not appropriately matched or designed for a specific use.

not ideally suited to

Indicates that something is not the perfect choice for a context.

of marginal utility to

Highlights the limited practical value or benefit for a specific user.

FAQs

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

Use "less useful to" to express that something is not as effective or beneficial for a particular person, group, or purpose compared to something else. For example, "This feature is "less useful to" advanced users than to beginners."

What are some alternatives to "less useful to"?

You can use alternatives such as "not as helpful for", "not as beneficial for", or "less relevant to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "less useful for" instead of "less useful to"?

Both "less useful for" and ""less useful to"" are grammatically correct, but ""less useful to"" is generally used when referring to a person or group who benefits (or doesn't benefit) from something, while "less useful for" is used when referring to a purpose or task.

What makes something "less useful to" someone?

Something can be ""less useful to"" someone if it doesn't meet their specific needs, if it's outdated, if it requires skills they don't have, or if there are better alternatives available. The examples show that even data collection itself can be "less useful to" the public if it presents significant delays.