not very useful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not very useful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has limited effectiveness or practicality in a given context. Example: "The information provided was not very useful for completing the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The use of synonyms in WordNet is not very useful.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

That's not very useful.

The New York Times - Tech

It's not very useful in everyday life.

Harvard Business Review

But this definition is not very useful.

Cornell University

Yet it is not very useful in resolving ethical dilemmas.

The New York Times - Books

Valuation is not very useful in market timing.

The New York Times

And without choice, information is not very useful.

The Economist

But many of those numbers are not very useful.

The New York Times

But for now, in lieu of direct evidence, it is very slow and not very useful.

The New York Times

Unpaid leave is not very useful, she says, especially in harder economic climates.

The Guardian - Money

Page is also sad because most computers are slow and not very useful.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not very useful", consider the specific reason for the lack of utility. Providing context enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "not very useful" when something is completely useless. The phrase suggests a partial, rather than total, lack of utility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very useful" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its degree of utility. As Ludwig AI shows, it tempers the assessment of usefulness, suggesting limited effectiveness rather than complete inutility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not very useful" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey limited effectiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to mildly disapprove of something's utility, spanning across neutral registers and various contexts like news, science, and academia. While the phrase is common, remember to provide context to enhance clarity and avoid using it when something is completely useless. Alternatives such as "somewhat ineffective" or "slightly impractical" can offer more specific nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat ineffective

Indicates a slightly reduced level of effectiveness compared to "not very useful".

slightly impractical

Focuses on the lack of practicality rather than overall usefulness.

marginally helpful

Highlights a small degree of assistance, implying limited usefulness.

of limited benefit

Emphasizes the restricted advantages or gains derived from something.

not particularly valuable

Shifts the focus to the value or worth of something, suggesting it is somewhat lacking.

relatively unhelpful

Indicates a comparative lack of helpfulness when considered against other options.

not especially productive

Highlights a lack of productivity or efficiency.

somewhat unavailing

Implies a degree of futility or ineffectiveness in achieving a desired outcome.

of little consequence

Indicates that something has minimal impact or importance.

hardly beneficial

Emphasizes the scarcity of advantages or positive effects.

FAQs

What does "not very useful" mean?

The phrase "not very useful" indicates that something has limited effectiveness or practical application. It implies that while it might have some use, it's generally insufficient or inadequate for a specific purpose.

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

You can use "not very useful" to describe information, tools, methods, or anything that doesn't provide significant help or benefit. For example: "That advice was "not very useful" for solving the problem."

What are some alternatives to "not very useful"?

Alternatives include phrases like "somewhat ineffective", "slightly impractical", or "marginally helpful", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "not very useful"?

It is appropriate to use "not very useful" when you want to express that something has limited utility without completely dismissing its value. It's a middle ground between "useful" and "useless".