made useless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made useless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been rendered ineffective or no longer functional. Example: "The constant exposure to moisture made the equipment useless for further operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"All the explosions are made useless if you don't care about the characters," says Strandberg.

The Guardian - Tech

"E-mail is the most incredible communication vehicle invented, and it is on the verge of being made useless," Mr. Linford said.

The New York Times

See the investment of capital in aqueducts made useless by hydraulics; fortifications, by gunpowder; roads and canals, by railways; sails, by steam; steam by electricity". From "Circles" by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Yale University

Defense officials said that Mr. Panetta was particularly concerned about a computer attack last August on the state oil company Saudi Aramco, which infected and made useless more than 30,000 computers.

The New York Times

On an overall basis, friction uses up, or wastes, a substantial amount of the energy generated by mankind, while a large amount of productive capacity is devoted to replacing objects made useless by wear.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a recent research paper, he also argued that the material should be made useless for making bombs by diluting it with a plentiful form of uranium that will not sustain a nuclear reaction.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

They don't just make useless appointments, they keep useless appointments.

The Guardian - Books

He advises small foundations to post a statement on a page preceding the 990, describing the grants they make and dissuading people from making useless requests.

The New York Times

Selection bias is insidiously seductive that way: It can make useless or even counterproductive interventions look as if they're working spectacularly.

The Washington Post

The 19th-century French mathematician Henri Poincaré summed up this creative role thus: "To create consists precisely in not making useless combinations.

The Guardian - Music

For me, it is a mathematician, Henri Poincaré, who best sums up the problems with these attempts: "To create consists precisely in not making useless combinations.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "made useless", ensure the context clearly indicates what caused the item or concept to become ineffective. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "made useless" excessively in passive constructions. Active voice often provides a stronger and more direct statement. Instead of "The rain made the picnic useless", try "The rain ruined the picnic".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made useless" functions as a passive construction, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that it has been rendered ineffective or non-functional. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

27%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "made useless" is a versatile phrase for indicating that something has been rendered ineffective. Ludwig AI indicates that its grammatical structure is correct and usable across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic writing. When using the phrase, it's crucial to provide context to clarify the cause of the ineffectiveness and to be mindful of potential over-reliance on passive voice. For more formal or active constructions, consider alternatives such as "rendered ineffective" or "disabled". Proper application ensures clear and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rendered ineffective

Changes the verb and adjective, focusing on the action of making something ineffective.

became non-functional

Replaces 'useless' with 'non-functional', emphasizing the lack of ability to function.

rendered inoperative

Emphasizes the state of being not in operation or not working, similar to 'non-functional'.

put out of action

Suggests that something was actively stopped from being able to function.

turned obsolete

Implies that something is outdated and no longer useful.

incapacitated

Highlights the inability to perform its intended function.

no longer viable

Shifts the focus to the inability to sustain or continue functioning.

became defunct

Implies a complete cessation of function or existence.

was disabled

Focuses on the act of making something unable to function, often temporarily.

lost its purpose

Emphasizes that the reason for existence or functionality has vanished.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "made useless" to sound more active?

Consider using phrases like "rendered ineffective", "disabled", or "obsoleted" to convey a more active sense. For example, instead of "The storm made the roads useless", you could say "The storm "disabled the roads"".

What's the difference between "made useless" and "became useless"?

"Made useless" implies an action caused something to become useless, whereas "became useless" simply states that something transitioned into a state of uselessness without necessarily specifying a cause. The sentence "The software update made the old files useless" indicates the update as the cause, while "The old files became useless over time" doesn't specify a direct action.

Is "made useless" too informal for academic writing?

While "made useless" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "rendered ineffective" or "obviated" might be preferred in academic contexts. Choose the phrase that best suits the overall tone and register of your writing. For example "Hydraulics "rendered aqueducts obsolete"" is more fitting for formal writing.

Can "made useless" apply to abstract concepts as well as physical objects?

Yes, "made useless" can be used for both. For example, you can say "The new evidence made the old theory useless" (abstract) or "The broken gear made the machine useless" (physical). Ensure the context clarifies what exactly has lost its value or function.