totally worthless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "totally worthless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has no value or utility in a strong and emphatic manner. Example: "After reviewing the report, I concluded that the data provided was totally worthless for our analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Almost totally worthless, but bewildering nonetheless.

The Guardian - Sport

You think you are totally worthless".

The Guardian - Books

It would be totally worthless if they all did.

Yale University

The exemption, Dr Denholm reckons, is "totally worthless".

The Economist

The bad news for anyone who finds themselves unwittingly holding a counterfeit note is that they are totally worthless.

The Guardian - Money

Resentment that a fellow artist could be given money for a project that some see as totally worthless.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Privacy, it appears, is totally essential for the powerful and completely worthless for the rest of us.

The Guardian - Tech

"These are completely worthless.

Yale University

"It is completely worthless".

Huffington Post

G4: "I felt completely worthless.

BMC Family Practice

I think the world camp is totally irrelevant, worthless.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "totally worthless", consider the context and audience to ensure the phrase's strong negative connotation is appropriate. In formal settings, milder alternatives might be preferable.

Common error

Avoid using "totally worthless" in formal or academic writing where a more nuanced or objective assessment is required. Opt for phrases like "lacking in merit" or "of limited value" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally worthless" functions primarily as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun. It serves to describe something as having absolutely no value or merit. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it's used to express a strong negative assessment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "totally worthless" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something as having absolutely no value or utility. According to Ludwig, it appears most frequently in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts. While it effectively conveys a strong negative sentiment, it's essential to consider the context and audience, as milder alternatives may be more appropriate in formal settings. Be mindful of the potential for overuse, and explore synonyms like "completely valueless" or "utterly insignificant" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely valueless

Emphasizes the absence of any value whatsoever.

absolutely useless

Stresses the inability to serve any practical purpose.

utterly insignificant

Highlights the lack of importance or consequence.

wholly ineffective

Highlights the lack of effectiveness in achieving a desired outcome.

entirely futile

Focuses on the lack of any useful result or purpose.

patently pointless

Emphasizes the obvious lack of purpose or reason.

incredibly trivial

Underlines the minor and unimportant nature of something.

categorically unimportant

Stresses the lack of importance in a definitive manner.

decidedly substandard

Highlights that something is below an acceptable level or quality.

remarkably deficient

Focuses on the notable lack of something essential or expected.

FAQs

What does "totally worthless" mean?

The phrase "totally worthless" means something has absolutely no value or use. It's a strong way of saying something is completely without merit or worth.

What can I say instead of "totally worthless"?

You can use alternatives like "completely valueless", "utterly insignificant", or "absolutely useless" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "totally worthless" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "totally worthless" might be too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using more neutral alternatives such as "of limited value" or "ineffective".

How does "totally worthless" differ from "partially worthless"?

"Totally worthless" implies something has no value at all, while "partially worthless" suggests it has some value, albeit limited. The degree of worthlessness is the main difference.