this was useful

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

This was useful to us since it permitted the most rigorous selection of putative targets prior to pursuing the dsx knockdown studies, which are labor-intensive.

Biology of Sex Differences

This was useful for experiments conducted using cells that have a relatively weak affinity for the surface substratum (such as the HBL melanoma cell line).

British Journal of Cancer

This was useful patronage.

The Guardian

"This was useful for year 9 students as they were picking their options for GCSE.

The Guardian

Although this was useful, it affected only the source of the money.

The Economist

This was useful, he added, because "in many companies the boss expects employees to solve practical problems".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

This is useful work.

The Economist

The hack decides: maybe this is useful.

The Economist

This is useful; that's a waste of time.

The New York Times - Arts

This is useful when advising clients or writing skeleton arguments.

The Guardian

11.42am BST Digested read, digested This is useful.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this was useful", ensure the context clearly indicates what "this" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader. Be as specific as possible about why something was useful.

Common error

Avoid using "this was useful" as a generic statement without specifying the benefits. Instead, explain how it was useful to provide more informative writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was useful" functions as a declarative statement, indicating that something provided a benefit or served a practical purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage. Examples show it expressing the positive impact of information, actions, or tools.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this was useful" is a versatile and commonly used phrase to express the benefit or value derived from something. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and frequent occurrence across diverse sources, including scientific publications, news articles, and business communications. While generally neutral in tone, it's crucial to provide context to clarify how something was useful to maximize clarity and impact. Alternative phrasing options include "this proved helpful" and "this was beneficial", which may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this proved helpful

Replaces "useful" with "helpful", maintaining a similar level of formality and directness.

this proved effective

Emphasizes the success or efficacy of something in achieving a desired result.

this was beneficial

Replaces "useful" with "beneficial", highlighting a positive effect or outcome.

this was advantageous

Substitutes "useful" with "advantageous", suggesting that something provided a benefit or edge.

this was instrumental

Suggests something played a crucial role in achieving a particular outcome.

this was of assistance

Uses a more formal tone by replacing "useful" with "of assistance".

this was valuable

Highlights the worth or importance of something, rather than just its utility.

this was worthwhile

Implies that the effort or investment related to something was justified by its usefulness.

this served its purpose

Focuses on the fulfillment of an intended function rather than general utility.

this came in handy

Implies unexpected usefulness, often in a practical or convenient way.

FAQs

How can I replace the phrase "this was useful"?

You can use alternatives like "this proved helpful", "this was beneficial", or "this proved effective" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "this was useful" or "this is useful"?

The choice between "this was useful" and "this is useful" depends on the time frame you're referring to. Use "this was useful" for something that provided value in the past, and "this is useful" for something currently providing value.

What's a more formal way to say "this was useful"?

A more formal alternative to "this was useful" is "this was of assistance". This phrasing is appropriate for professional or academic contexts.

How can I make the phrase "this was useful" more specific?

Instead of just saying "this was useful", specify how it was useful. For example, "This was useful in identifying the key issues" or "This was useful for improving efficiency" are more informative.