of little use

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of little use" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not very helpful or beneficial in a particular context. Example: "The outdated software proved to be of little use in addressing the current issues we faced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I proved of little use.

The New York Times - Travel

Nets and insecticides have proven to be of little use.

The Guardian

So anecdotal people would be of little use to him?

The Guardian - Books

He found Hegelian idealism of little use in these matters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Soon, though, that gift may be of little use.

The New York Times

But the conditions were of little use to Denver.

Independent

The monstrosities are both unpopular and of little use.

The Economist

Investigators collected DNA from the scene, but it was of little use.

The New York Times

The conclusion is of little use to the Africans, who have no access to therapy.

The New York Times

But given the eroded shapes of the stones, the computer's generalized solutions were of little use.

The New York Times

The European Tour's HQ will be of little use to anyone else in current form.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse of the phrase in a single piece of writing. While grammatically correct and useful, its frequent repetition can make the writing sound monotonous. Variety in expression enhances readability.

Common error

Be careful not to use "of little use" when something is completely useless. The phrase implies some minimal level of utility, even if it's very small. If something is entirely without any use, consider stronger terms like "completely useless" or "entirely ineffective".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of little use" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that something is not very helpful or effective. It expresses a limited degree of utility, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "of little use" is a versatile phrase used to express that something is not very helpful or effective. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and common in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific publications. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the degree of ineffectiveness and whether a stronger term might be more appropriate. Remember to provide specific details to support your assessment of limited utility. The phrase is considered neutral in register, making it suitable for a wide range of writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of limited value

Focuses on the worth or importance of something, suggesting it doesn't provide much benefit.

not very helpful

Directly states the lack of assistance or benefit provided.

largely ineffective

Emphasizes the lack of desired outcome or result.

scarcely beneficial

Highlights the minimal positive impact or advantage.

practically useless

Indicates something is almost entirely without purpose or function.

of marginal utility

Highlights that the utility or advantage is limited.

essentially pointless

Emphasizes the lack of meaningful purpose or reason.

unlikely to help

Focuses on the low probability of providing assistance or improvement.

inconsequential

Emphasizes the lack of significance or importance.

to no great effect

Indicates that the impact or result is minimal or nonexistent.

FAQs

How can I use "of little use" in a sentence?

Use "of little use" to describe something that provides minimal benefit or assistance. For example, "The outdated software was "of little use" in solving the current problem."

What are some alternatives to "of little use"?

You can use alternatives like "of limited value", "not very helpful", or "largely ineffective" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "of little use" or "useless"?

"Of little use" implies a small amount of utility, while "useless" implies no utility at all. Choose the phrase that most accurately reflects the degree to which something is unhelpful. Thus "of little use" and "useless" are not interchangeable.

When should I avoid using the phrase "of little use"?

Avoid using "of little use" in situations where a stronger term like "completely ineffective" or "entirely useless" is more appropriate. Also, avoid overuse in a single piece of writing to maintain variety.