mostly useful for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mostly useful for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the primary or main purpose of something, indicating that it is beneficial in certain contexts but not exclusively so. Example: "This tool is mostly useful for data analysis, helping users to visualize trends and patterns effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

He used to consider invoicing to be "a subset of accounting" (and therefore mostly useful for taxes and bookkeeping), but over time he realized that it was crucial to a small business' cashflow — so Invoice2go could save businesses time and help them get paid more quickly.

TechCrunch

On the other hand, polymers may be used as a specific reactor for preparation of TiO2 particles of dimensions mostly useful for specific applications [e.g., 31– 31].

Colloid and Polymer Science

The modified algorithm is mostly useful for statistical physics applications, since it leads to the correct fluctuation spectrum.

Journal of Computational Physics

Facebook originally viewed phones as mostly useful for posting status updates, not as a primary way to access the service, said Javier Olivan, who heads Facebook's growth team.

The New York Times - Tech

The chapter concludes that the living Ziegler-Natta polymerization is mostly useful for the preparation of polyethylene diblock copolymers because of the limitation of applicable catalyst systems and reaction conditions.

Functionalization of Polyolefins

Especially for people who throw up only a perfunctory Facebook page, the site seems mostly useful for entree points into the past — random hellos and what-are-you-up-tos and updates from people they once saw around campus or played kickball with in elementary school or sat next to in a cubicle for a few years back in the late 1990s.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

If we want to design systems that support the way people make sense of the world around them, the question is whether sensorimotor couplings are going to be enough, or whether sensorimotor theory is mostly useful when designing for 'bodily phenomena', like sports, or feelings of stress.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Technology and Society is a highly readable book, mostly useful at the undergraduate level for its applied focus on future and values.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Models based on accurate mathematical expressions for physical processes are mostly useful to understand the actual operation of the plant.

Energy

Those familiar with the methods have found them mostly useful.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

It is mostly useful in age groups over 40.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mostly useful for", ensure the context clarifies what other uses or benefits, though less significant, might also exist. This helps avoid overstating the primary use.

Common error

Avoid using "mostly useful for" when something is only useful for a specific purpose. Instead, use "specifically useful for" or "exclusively useful for" to accurately reflect its limited application.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mostly useful for" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It specifies the primary, but not exclusive, benefit or purpose of something. Ludwig AI confirms the correct usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

32%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mostly useful for" is a versatile adjective phrase that indicates the primary, but not exclusive, benefit or purpose of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts such as science, news, and academia. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clarifies the possibility of other, less significant, uses to avoid overstating its primary application. Alternatives like "primarily beneficial for" or "mainly advantageous for" can be used to convey similar meanings. This phrase is valuable for setting expectations and providing a clear understanding of an item's main purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily beneficial for

Emphasizes the main advantage or benefit something provides.

mainly advantageous for

Highlights the key advantages that something offers.

largely applicable to

Indicates a wide but not exclusive suitability for a particular purpose.

chiefly designed for

Focuses on the principal intention behind the design of something.

particularly suited to

Suggests a specific appropriateness for a certain use or situation.

especially helpful for

Stresses the specific assistance or aid something provides.

predominantly effective for

Highlights the major effectiveness in a particular context.

generally valuable for

Indicates overall worth and usefulness for a specific purpose.

mostly appropriate for

Suggests that something is suitable in most cases, but not all.

commonly employed for

Focuses on the frequent use of something for a particular task.

FAQs

How to use "mostly useful for" in a sentence?

Use "mostly useful for" to describe the main application or benefit of something, implying it may have other uses but is primarily suited for a specific purpose. For example, "This software is "mostly useful for" data analysis, though it can also handle basic reporting".

What can I say instead of "mostly useful for"?

You can use alternatives like "primarily beneficial for", "mainly advantageous for", or "largely applicable to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "mostly useful for" or "specifically useful for"?

"Mostly useful for" implies a primary but not exclusive use, while "specifically useful for" suggests a particular or limited use. The correct choice depends on whether the item has other, less significant, uses.

What's the difference between "mostly useful for" and "generally useful for"?

"Mostly useful for" indicates the most common or important use, whereas "generally useful for" means it's valuable across many situations but might not be the best choice in any specific one.