not useful

USAGE SUMMARY

"not useful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is ineffective or of no value. For example, "This tool is not useful for cutting metal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"For us, they are not useful.

The New York Times

Not useful categories.

The New Yorker

"It's not useful!

The New York Times - Tech

"But it's not useful.

The New York Times

These are not useful comparisons.

The New York Times

Are they not useful?

Harvard Business Review

That's not useful.

Yale University

Caution: not useful.

University of California, Berkeley

This subject is not useful.

The New York Times

Weak ties are not useful.

Harvard Business Review

It is not useful to me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, replace the phrase "not useful" with a more precise synonym to better convey the specific reason why something lacks utility (e.g., "ineffective", "irrelevant", "obsolete").

Common error

Avoid using "not useful" as a catch-all phrase to dismiss ideas or tools. Instead, provide specific reasons or examples to explain why something is ineffective or unsuitable for the given context. This adds credibility and provides constructive feedback.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not useful" functions primarily as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that the noun lacks utility or effectiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is used to express that something does not serve its intended purpose or provide a benefit in a given situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not useful" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something lacks utility or effectiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various domains, including news, academia, and science. While versatile, refining your language with more specific synonyms like "ineffective" or "irrelevant" can add precision to your writing. Remember to avoid using "not useful" as a general dismissal; instead, provide concrete reasons for your assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of no use

Prepositional phrase conveying a lack of utility.

ineffective

Single adjective conveying lack of effectiveness.

unproductive

Single adjective describing something that doesn't yield results.

serves no purpose

Verbal phrase emphasizing lack of function.

pointless

Single adjective suggesting a lack of purpose or value.

fruitless

Single adjective indicating a lack of positive outcome.

doesn't help

Verbal phrase suggesting a lack of assistance.

inapplicable

Single adjective expressing that something does not apply or is not relevant.

futile

Single adjective suggesting something incapable of producing any result.

unavailing

Single adjective that means achieving little or nothing.

FAQs

How can I use "not useful" in a sentence?

You can use "not useful" to describe something that does not provide a benefit or serve a purpose in a specific context. For example: "That approach is "not useful" in this situation."

What are some alternatives to saying "not useful"?

Alternatives include "ineffective", "impractical", "irrelevant", or "pointless", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it better to say "not useful" or "useless"?

"Not useful" and "useless" are often interchangeable, but "not useful" can sometimes imply a situational lack of utility, whereas "useless" often suggests a more general lack of value.

Can "not useful" be considered negative?

Yes, "not useful" generally carries a negative connotation, as it indicates a lack of benefit or effectiveness. However, the degree of negativity can depend on the context.