really useful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really useful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the practicality or effectiveness of something in various contexts. Example: "The new software update is really useful for improving productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's been really useful for us.

The Guardian - Tech

"This tournament is really useful for us," McKay said.

The New York Times - Sports

This training was really useful for us.

Unicef

Plastic is really useful and we use it every day.

BBC

Those battery packs are really useful for secondary storage uses.

Huffington Post

Anything really useful?

The Guardian

Really useful information.

University of California, Berkeley

Excellent session, really useful.

The Guardian

Educators find it really useful.

The New York Times

"The head is really useful.

The Guardian - Sport

The technology is really useful.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really useful" to emphasize the practical benefits of something, particularly when you want to highlight its immediate and tangible advantages. For instance, "This tool is "really useful" for streamlining the workflow."

Common error

Avoid using "really useful" as a filler phrase. Ensure that the "really" adds genuine emphasis. If the usefulness is self-evident, consider using "useful" on its own or a stronger adjective like "essential".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really useful" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, emphasizing the high degree of utility or effectiveness of something. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in describing tools, information, and processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

19%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

14%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "really useful" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to emphasize the high degree of utility or effectiveness of something. Ludwig AI confirms this. While its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various contexts, it's essential to ensure that the "really" adds genuine emphasis. Alternatives like "extremely helpful" or "highly beneficial" can be used for more formal writing. With frequent appearances in News & Media and Academia, the phrase serves primarily to highlight practical advantages and persuade the audience of a subject's value.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Extremely helpful

Emphasizes the degree of help provided.

Highly beneficial

Highlights the positive advantages or results.

Incredibly valuable

Focuses on the worth or importance.

Remarkably effective

Stresses the notable success or impact.

Significantly advantageous

Indicates a considerable benefit or gain.

Particularly practical

Highlights the ease and efficiency of use.

Notably worthwhile

Emphasizes the value and justification of effort.

Truly advantageous

Emphasizes the genuine benefit provided.

Genuinely helpful

Emphasizes the sincerity and effectiveness of the help.

Exceptionally beneficial

Highlights an extraordinary degree of benefit.

FAQs

How can I use "really useful" in a sentence?

You can use "really useful" to describe something that provides significant practical benefits or help. For example, "This software is "really useful" for managing projects efficiently."

What can I say instead of "really useful"?

You can use alternatives like "extremely helpful", "highly beneficial", or "incredibly valuable" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "very really useful"?

Yes, saying "very really useful" is generally considered redundant. The word "really" already intensifies "useful", so adding "very" doesn't add significant additional emphasis and can sound awkward.

When is it appropriate to use "really useful" in formal writing?

While "really useful" is generally acceptable, in very formal writing, consider using a more sophisticated alternative like "exceptionally beneficial" or "remarkably effective" to maintain a more professional tone.