of little value

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of little value" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not worth much or lacks significance. Example: "The old furniture was of little value, so we decided to donate it to charity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

'Free' suggests something of little value.

University of California, Berkeley

Perejil may seem of little value.

The New York Times

Traditional chemotherapy and radiation are of little value.

The New York Times - Health

In the end, the research proved of little value.

The Guardian

Manual patching processes are also of little value.

Harvard Business Review

The stock will be of little value after December 25.

Harvard Business Review

But a diagnosis is of little value without a treatment.

The Economist

An RC car is of little value if the controls are tethered to the vehicle.

Cornell University

In cattle, the titer of antibody is generally of little value.

Cornell University

The buildings and machinery were of little value except for the purpose of manufacturing beer.

Cornell University

Such techniques are of little value in identifying those who do not file tax returns.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "of little value", consider specifying why something lacks value to provide more context and clarity. For instance, instead of saying "The information was of little value", specify: "The information was of little value because it was outdated."

Common error

Avoid using "of little value" when "irrelevant" or "inapplicable" is more precise. "Of little value" implies a small degree of worth, whereas something irrelevant has no bearing on the situation at all.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of little value" functions as a qualifying adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun possesses a small amount of value or worth. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of little value" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something lacks significant worth, importance, or utility. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for diverse contexts and functions as a qualifying adjective phrase. While alternatives like "of scant worth" or "insignificant" exist, "of little value" maintains a neutral tone appropriate for both formal and informal communication. When using the phrase, it's beneficial to provide specific reasons for the perceived lack of value, adding clarity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of scant worth

Replaces "value" with "worth", suggesting a minimal level of merit or usefulness.

of marginal utility

Focuses on the limited practical benefit or usefulness something provides.

of negligible importance

Highlights the insignificance or lack of consequence of something.

essentially worthless

Emphasizes the near-total lack of monetary or practical value.

not worth much

A more informal way of expressing that something's value is low.

of limited consequence

Implies that something has a small impact or effect.

unimportant

A simple and direct way to say something does not matter much.

insignificant

Similar to unimportant, stressing the lack of significance.

relatively valueless

Suggests the low value is in comparison to something else.

not particularly useful

Focuses on the lack of practical application or serviceability.

FAQs

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

You can use "of little value" to describe something that has minimal worth or significance. For example: "The antique was "of little value" due to its poor condition."

What are some alternatives to saying "of little value"?

Alternatives include "of scant worth", "negligible", or "insignificant". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "of little value" the same as "worthless"?

While similar, "of little value" suggests a small amount of worth, while "worthless" implies a complete absence of value. The distinction is a matter of degree.

When is it appropriate to use "of little value" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when you need to objectively assess and describe the limited worth or importance of something. Using more informal terms might weaken your argument in professional contexts.