mildly useful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mildly useful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a small degree of usefulness or effectiveness, often in a somewhat understated or humorous way. Example: "The new software update is mildly useful, as it fixes a few bugs but doesn't add any significant features."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Seven-step books have been mildly useful — "Dale Carnegie?

The New Yorker

Mr Gyimah spent 17 minutes of his life filibustering a mildly useful piece of legislation.

Independent

In theory, this is mildly useful; roasts or pork shoulders can cook while you do other things around the house, and your smartphone will alert you when your food is approaching the target temperature.

The New York Times - Tech

If I were considering my options, this might be mildly useful — it might be, as happiness experts like Daniel Gilbert and Gretchen Rubin say, that we do not always know what will make us happy, which makes it more useful to know what has affected the happiness of others.

The New York Times

That seems mildly useful.

TechCrunch

As an information portal/photo-swapping site it can sometimes be mildly diverting or mildly entertaining or mildly useful.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

And when it comes to DJing and production, he is, to put it mildly, a bit useful.

The Guardian

If you are new to contemporary art, you might find "Art:21 — Art in the Twenty-First Century" a useful, mildly engaging introduction.

The New York Times - Arts

Apple actually built a QR code reader into iOS 7 – yes, right into the OS – but in a way that makes clear its presence is more of a mildly unpleasant but useful tool in promoting its own tech, rather than anything to be truly upheld and encouraged.

TechCrunch

Additionally, Beckett in a US patent [ 35], described the use of an aqueous neutral to mildly alkaline bicarbonate solution useful for preventing and treating inflammatory diseases such as OA.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

He resents the way mass-marketers build pictures of his buying habits, but finds their recommendations for further purchases mildly amusing, sometimes even useful.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as "mildly useful", be sure to provide context. Explain what makes it only 'mildly' useful, rather than highly effective, to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "mildly useful" when something is clearly very effective or completely useless. The phrase is most appropriate when describing something that offers a small, but noticeable, benefit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mildly useful" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, indicating the degree to which something is beneficial or helpful. Ludwig AI's examples showcase its use in various contexts to describe items or actions that have a limited but positive impact.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mildly useful" is a correct and usable expression to describe something that offers a small degree of benefit. It’s most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable in English and serves to convey a measured assessment. When using "mildly useful", be specific about the context to avoid ambiguity, and consider alternatives like "somewhat helpful" if a slightly stronger emphasis is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat helpful

Indicates a degree of assistance that is less than fully effective, similar to "mildly useful".

moderately beneficial

Suggests a level of advantage that is neither strong nor insignificant, akin to "mildly useful".

slightly advantageous

Highlights a small degree of benefit or gain, mirroring the limited utility implied by "mildly useful".

marginally effective

Emphasizes the small degree to which something achieves the desired result, similar to "mildly useful".

a bit helpful

Expresses a small level of aid, conveying a meaning similar to "mildly useful" in its understatement.

reasonably practical

Implies a level of usability that is acceptable but not outstanding, comparable to "mildly useful".

serviceable to some extent

Indicates a degree of usability that is adequate but not exceptional, echoing the sentiment of "mildly useful".

minimally valuable

Suggests a low level of worth, similar to the understated utility conveyed by "mildly useful".

of limited benefit

Highlights the restricted advantage offered, reflecting the limited utility implied by "mildly useful".

passably functional

Indicates that something is working only just well enough, akin to "mildly useful" in its modest assessment.

FAQs

How can I use "mildly useful" in a sentence?

You can use "mildly useful" to describe something that provides a small degree of help or benefit, such as, "The software update was "mildly useful" for fixing minor bugs."

What are some alternatives to "mildly useful"?

Alternatives include "somewhat helpful", "moderately beneficial", or "slightly advantageous", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it okay to use "mildly useful" in formal writing?

Yes, "mildly useful" is acceptable in formal writing, but consider whether a more precise term might be more appropriate to clearly convey the degree of usefulness. Using "moderately helpful", may make your writing more authoritative.

What's the difference between "mildly useful" and "somewhat useful"?

"Mildly useful" and "somewhat useful" are very similar. The choice often depends on personal preference, though "somewhat" might suggest a slightly higher degree of utility than "mildly".