pointless utterance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pointless utterance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a statement or remark that lacks meaning or significance. Example: "During the meeting, he made a pointless utterance that did not contribute to the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Seeing as every single one of Palin's off-the-cuff orations has amounted to a "pointless utterance" -- one long, annoying "Uhhhmmm" -- it stands to reason that her best bet is silences of epic length.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

What wasn't acceptable was making pointless utterances while finding their way back.

Huffington Post

"I'm not being racist, but …" It's one of those pointless British rhetorical habits that manages to serve as both understatement and alert to the imminent utterance of something that is indeed racist.

The Guardian - Opinion

its pointless.

University of California, Berkeley

An utterance".

The New Yorker

Marketing: Pointless!

The New York Times

Pointless fact?

Independent

It's pointless.

Yale University

Every day seems pointless.

Harvard University

What a pointless study!

Harvard University

Truncated utterance: "Erm.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pointless utterance" when you want to emphasize both the lack of purpose and the act of speaking. It's more specific than simply saying something is "pointless".

Common error

Avoid using "pointless utterance" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound overly critical or dismissive. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "irrelevant statement" or "unnecessary remark" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pointless utterance" functions as a noun phrase where "pointless" modifies the noun "utterance". It typically serves to describe a statement or remark as lacking value, relevance, or purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pointless utterance" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to describe a statement lacking meaning or purpose. While relatively rare, as evidenced by Ludwig's analysis, it effectively conveys criticism or dismissal. It's best suited for neutral contexts like news articles or analytical discussions, but should be used judiciously in highly formal settings. Alternatives such as "meaningless statement" or "futile remark" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context and desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Meaningless statement

Focuses on the lack of inherent significance in the statement.

Futile remark

Emphasizes the ineffectiveness and uselessness of the remark.

Empty rhetoric

Highlights the superficial and insincere nature of the utterance.

Senseless comment

Focuses on the lack of reason or logic behind the comment.

Irrelevant statement

Stresses the lack of connection or importance to the current context.

Inane remark

Highlights the silliness and lack of intelligence of the remark.

Nonsensical utterance

Emphasizes the lack of logical coherence in the utterance.

Vain expression

Suggests the expression is futile and without real effect.

Gratuitous comment

Implies the comment was unnecessary and uncalled for.

Idle words

Highlights the lack of purpose or substance in the spoken words.

FAQs

How can I use "pointless utterance" in a sentence?

You can use "pointless utterance" to describe something someone said that lacked meaning or purpose. For example: "His speech was filled with "pointless utterances" that added nothing to the discussion".

What's a more formal alternative to "pointless utterance"?

More formal alternatives include "irrelevant statement", "unnecessary remark", or "gratuitous comment". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between a "pointless utterance" and a "meaningless statement"?

While similar, "pointless utterance" emphasizes the act of speaking without purpose, while "meaningless statement" focuses on the lack of inherent significance in what was said.

Is "pointless utterance" a common phrase?

No, "pointless utterance" is not a very common phrase. Alternatives such as "meaningless statement" or "futile remark" are used more frequently.