that was useful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was useful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express appreciation for information or assistance that has been helpful in a particular context. Example: "After reviewing the tutorial, I can confidently say that was useful for my understanding of the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

At Christmas they did party bags - that was useful.

The Guardian - Music

But it gave me a distance that was useful.

The New York Times

The environment of a stripped factory had a certain funky neutrality that was useful".

The New Yorker

You then get in to the question of: 'Did he actually tell them anything that was useful?

The Guardian

("Absolutely no background in statistics that was useful," Piotte told me ruefully. "Two guys, absolutely no clue").

The New York Times - Magazine

The 2C number began life in 1995 as a round number that was useful in political negotiations.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

But something that's useful won't.

The New York Times

"That provides access in a way that is useful".

The Guardian

"Nothing that's useful," Conine said with a smile.

The New York Times - Sports

Critically, we have to focus on information that is useful.

The Guardian

Some products that are useful also make a statement.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was useful" to express gratitude or acknowledge the value of information, advice, or assistance received. It's a direct and clear way to show appreciation.

Common error

While "that was useful" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more sophisticated alternatives like "that proved beneficial" or "that was instrumental" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was useful" functions as a subjective assessment, indicating the speaker's judgment about the utility or benefit derived from something. As Ludwig indicates, this expression is common and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was useful" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to convey appreciation or recognition of something beneficial. Ludwig confirms its correctness and widespread usability. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives in academic or highly professional settings. The phrase sees frequent usage across "News & Media", "Science", and "Formal & Business" domains, confirming its broad applicability. Remember to use it to clearly and directly express the value you perceive in something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that proved helpful

Replaces "useful" with "helpful", emphasizing the assistance provided.

that turned out to be helpful

Adds a temporal aspect, indicating usefulness was realized after the fact.

that was of assistance

Replaces "useful" with a more formal phrase, "of assistance".

that was advantageous

Replaces "useful" with "advantageous", highlighting the benefit gained.

that offered some benefit

Highlights the positive outcome or advantage gained.

that served its purpose

Focuses on the fulfillment of a specific goal or need.

that came in handy

Uses a more informal idiom to express usefulness.

that contributed positively

Focuses on the contribution to a favorable result.

it was conducive

Emphasizes the facilitative nature, contributing towards a specific outcome.

that had some value

Emphasizes the worth or importance of something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that was useful" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "that was beneficial", "that was advantageous", or "that proved helpful". These alternatives convey a similar meaning but are better suited for professional or academic contexts.

What is a more informal way to say "that was useful"?

In informal settings, you can use phrases like "that came in handy" or "that helped a lot". These expressions are more casual and appropriate for everyday conversations.

Is "that was useful" grammatically correct?

Yes, "that was useful" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard subject-verb-complement structure and is widely accepted in both spoken and written English.

What's the difference between "that was useful" and "that is useful"?

"That was useful" refers to something that provided value or assistance in the past. "That is useful" refers to something that is currently providing or has the potential to provide value or assistance.