neither useful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "neither useful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that lacks utility or practicality in a given context. Example: "The information provided was neither useful nor relevant to the topic at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Overall, patients perceived HealthSpace as neither useful nor easy to use and its functionality aligned poorly with their expectations and self management practices.

British Medical Journal

This multilevel case study has shown that the HealthSpace personal electronic health record was poorly taken up by people in England, most of whom perceived it as neither useful nor easy to use.

British Medical Journal

Commonly practitioners found it neither useful nor easy to use: 'I think they are not all that happy with the assessment because it is very time consuming and as I say it doesn't always give us the results that we want to get'.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

For all these reasons, General David Petraeus has said torture is "neither useful nor necessary".

The Guardian - Opinion

It is neither useful nor responsible to rank states according to their perceived failings.

The Guardian

He warned it would bankrupt India's government and produce neither useful jobs nor decent infrastructure.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

But the commission stated that this valuation included property which was neither used nor useful.

Cornell University

In his speech, Cable said he supported the idea of blue-skies research, but argued that was no justification for taxpayers' money being used to support work which was "neither commercially useful nor theoretically outstanding".

The Guardian

"The big scientific ideas that changed the world were often far removed from practical, let alone commercial, applications... but there is no justification for taxpayers' money being used to support research which is neither commercially useful nor theoretically outstanding.

The Guardian

"I support, of course, top class 'blue skies' research, but there is no justification for taxpayers' money being used to support research which is neither commercially useful nor theoretically outstanding".

Science Magazine

Outlining the coalition government's vision for science and research, Cable will call for scientists to abandon work that is "neither commercially useful nor theoretically outstanding" as part of the UK's austerity drive.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "neither useful", ensure it's paired with another negative quality (e.g., "neither useful nor relevant") to create a balanced and impactful statement.

Common error

While grammatically sound, excessive use of "neither useful" can make writing sound overly negative or critical. Consider alternatives like "not particularly helpful" or "less effective" to soften the tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "neither useful" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It is typically used to express that something lacks utility or practicality. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "neither useful" is a grammatically correct construction used to indicate a lack of utility or practicality. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is most often found in scientific, news, and academic contexts. When employing this phrase, it's important to pair it with another negative attribute to create a balanced and impactful statement. While effective, overuse, especially in formal contexts, may sound overly negative. Alternatives like "not helpful" or "less effective" can soften the tone. Ensure you are adding relevant and valuable information when using this phrase, and consider what alternatives might better convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of no use

Directly states the absence of utility or value.

not beneficial

Emphasizes the absence of positive outcomes or advantages.

not helpful

Focuses on the lack of assistance or support provided.

unproductive

Highlights the failure to yield meaningful results or progress.

ineffective

Stresses the inability to achieve the desired effect or outcome.

pointless

Suggests a lack of purpose or value in pursuing a particular action.

fruitless

Implies that efforts expended will not lead to any positive results.

impractical

Highlights the difficulty or impossibility of putting something into practice.

worthless

Indicates that something has no value or merit.

unavailing

Similar to fruitless, but with a stronger emphasis on the lack of success despite effort.

FAQs

How can I use "neither useful" in a sentence?

You can use "neither useful" to describe something lacking utility or practicality, often paired with another negative attribute: "The tool was "neither useful nor efficient"."

What are some alternatives to saying "neither useful"?

Alternatives include "not helpful", "ineffective", or "of no use", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "not useful" or "neither useful"?

"Not useful" is a general statement. "Neither useful" implies a comparison, often paired with another negative adjective: "It was "neither accurate nor useful"."

What's the difference between "useless" and "neither useful"?

"Useless" is a direct and absolute statement of worthlessness. "Neither useful" is more nuanced, suggesting something lacks utility without being entirely without value, and it sets up an expectation for another negative descriptor.