limited utility

USAGE SUMMARY

"limited utility" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically refers to something that has practical usefulness but is not ideal for the purpose. For example, "The small shovel had limited utility for digging deep holes in the garden."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The first has limited utility; the others are essential.

Harvard Business Review

However, these attempts have been entirely theoretical and that gives them limited utility.

MIT Technology Review

Strategists on both sides said the lessons of the past offered only limited utility.

The New York Times

Similarly, "name and shame" campaigns have limited utility.

Forbes

It cannot be a static model or else it has limited utility.

Forbes

Voriconazole and posaconazole have limited utility in the nursery and are rarely used.

Duke University

The downside is that the lowest common denominator lacks any precision and therefore has limited utility.

TechCrunch

But I realized that flying a small plane has limited utility.

Forbes

DCE lacks standardisation and has limited utility in the TZ, where T2W/DWI are favoured.

Insights into Imaging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Low-pass sequencing, however, exhibited limited utility for some genome analyses.

BMC Genomics

Thus, amperometry has limited utility in chemically complex environments.

Analytical Chemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "limited utility", ensure the context clearly defines what the limitations are. Provide specific reasons or examples to illustrate why something has "limited utility" in a particular situation.

Common error

Avoid using "limited utility" when something is completely useless. Reserve it for situations where there is some value, but not enough to be fully effective or worthwhile.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "limited utility" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, describing the extent to which something is useful or valuable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound expression. The phrase frequently indicates that something is not entirely without use, but its practical application is restricted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

28%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "limited utility" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that describes something with some use, but with practical applications that are restricted, according to Ludwig AI. It is frequently used in scientific, news, and formal business contexts to provide a qualified assessment of value or effectiveness. When using this phrase, it's essential to clearly define the limitations and avoid using it when something is entirely useless. Alternatives like "marginal usefulness" or "restricted applicability" can be used depending on the specific context. Overall, "limited utility" is a versatile phrase for expressing a realistic and objective evaluation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Marginal usefulness

Emphasizes the small degree of usefulness.

Restricted applicability

Focuses on the constraints in applying something effectively.

Limited effectiveness

Highlights the insufficient impact or results produced.

Minimal practical value

Stresses the deficiency in real-world application and benefit.

Of little avail

Suggests the ineffectiveness or futility of something.

Scant benefit

Emphasizes that there is only a small amount of benefit.

Relatively ineffective

Highlights the comparative lack of effectiveness.

Not particularly useful

Simple and direct way of saying something lacks usefulness.

Inadequate functionality

Focuses on the insufficiency of features or functions to fulfill a purpose.

Circumscribed utility

Indicates that the utility is confined or restricted.

FAQs

How can I use "limited utility" in a sentence?

You can use "limited utility" to describe something that has some use, but not much, such as, "The tool had "limited utility" because it was too small for the job."

What's a synonym for "limited utility"?

Alternatives to "limited utility" include phrases like "marginal usefulness", "restricted applicability", or "limited effectiveness", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "limited utility"?

Use "limited utility" when something is not entirely useless, but its usefulness is restricted or minimal. It is suitable when describing tools, methods, or ideas that are not highly effective or practical in a given situation.

How does "limited utility" differ from "no utility"?

"Limited utility" implies some degree of usefulness, whereas "no utility" means something is completely useless. For instance, a broken tool might have "no utility", while a tool that's too small might have "limited utility".