relatively useful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relatively useful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is useful to a certain degree, but not extremely or absolutely so. Example: "The new software is relatively useful for streamlining our workflow, but it still has some limitations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It was concluded that the CSF-36 showed good validity and reliability but low responsiveness when used in patients, and it is a relatively useful instrument for patients with chronic disease when no specific instruments are available [ 7].

BMC Gastroenterology

Cells to Civilizations includes 16 pages of chapter notes, 8 pages of references, and an index -- all relatively useful for follow-up reading.

The Guardian

Hangouts could remain a relatively useful area for Google, particularly in the business sector where it has managed to build up a user base.

The Guardian

Another relatively useful metric is the date on which a candidate secured a lead in national polls that he never relinquished.

The New York Times

At 182.2 inches long, the Audi matches the Volvo XC60 and Toyota RAV4, and it's a foot shorter than big family sedans like the Honda Accord, making it relatively useful in tight parking lots and urban maneuvers.

The New York Times

The citizens might, of course, get relatively useful services but those pale in comparison to the benefits harvested by technology companies, which, in addition to the lucrative procurement contracts with governments and cities, also get to rip the data generated by the users.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Owing to the relatively low useful power, for the Kalina cycle a relatively simple plant layout was assumed.

Applied Thermal Engineering

That's not a lot of money in Google's world; the more important point is that relatively little useful learning seems to have occurred.

Harvard Business Review

However, the low price of lime and the value of the spent material could help make up for this relatively short useful lifespan, she says.

MIT Technology Review

Goals are fairly easy to define if the propagandist simply wants to sell a relatively safe, useful, and simple good or service.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This indicates that disclosure laws requiring benchmarking data may be relatively more useful than engineering audits in explaining the observed energy performance of existing buildings.

Energy Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "relatively useful" when you want to acknowledge that something has value but also has limitations or is not the best option available. This conveys a nuanced perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "relatively useful" when describing something that is clearly essential or indispensable. This can undermine your message and create a sense of ambiguity where none should exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relatively useful" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate the degree to which something is useful. It suggests that something has utility, but not to an exceptional or absolute extent. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is valid and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "relatively useful" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for describing something that has a degree of utility without being exceptionally or absolutely so. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for providing balanced assessments in both formal and informal contexts. It is most commonly found in science and news media, reflecting its value in nuanced evaluations. When employing this phrase, consider whether a more precise adjective might better convey the level of utility, and be sure that overstatement is avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately beneficial

Replaces "useful" with "beneficial" and "relatively" with "moderately", focusing on the degree of benefit.

somewhat practical

Substitutes "useful" with "practical" and "relatively" with "somewhat", highlighting the practicality of something.

reasonably helpful

Replaces "useful" with "helpful" and "relatively" with "reasonably", emphasizing the degree of assistance provided.

fairly valuable

Changes "useful" to "valuable" and "relatively" to "fairly", emphasizing the worth of something.

marginally advantageous

Replaces "useful" with "advantageous" and "relatively" with "marginally", suggesting a slight benefit.

partially effective

Substitutes "useful" with "effective" and "relatively" with "partially", focusing on the degree of effectiveness.

serviceable to some extent

Replaces "relatively useful" with a more descriptive phrase indicating a limited level of serviceability.

of limited utility

Replaces "relatively useful" with a phrase that highlights the limited usefulness of something.

practically applicable to a degree

Emphasizes practical application but acknowledges a limited scope.

advantageous under certain conditions

Highlights the conditional usefulness of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "relatively useful" to describe something that has some degree of utility, but is not the most effective or ideal option. For instance, "This tool is "relatively useful" for basic tasks, but it lacks the advanced features needed for complex projects."

What are some alternatives to saying "relatively useful"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "somewhat helpful", "moderately beneficial", or "fairly valuable" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "relatively useful" in formal writing?

Yes, "relatively useful" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when you need to provide a balanced assessment of something's utility. It's suitable for academic papers, business reports, and other professional contexts.

What's the difference between "relatively useful" and "very useful"?

"Relatively useful" implies that something is useful to a certain extent but not exceptionally so, while "very useful" indicates a high degree of utility. The choice depends on the level of emphasis you want to convey. For example, a "very useful" tool might be essential for a task, whereas a "relatively useful" one could be one of several options.