uninformative

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "uninformative" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something providing little or no useful information. For example, "The report was generally uninformative and gave very few details".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This attempt at definition, impeccable because uninformative, was derived from Jonathan Swift, who had said, also impeccably and uninformatively, that style in writing was "the best words in the best order".

Encyclopedia Britannica

These exercises may not be conclusive, but they're better than throwing our hands up and saying that Massachusetts and Texas are just really different, which is so uninformative it approaches intellectual nihilism.

The Economist

His positive ads were cheesy and uninformative: his two young children appeared in one to explain his education policies, stumbling cutely over the word "accountability".

The Economist

The chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley recently provoked ridicule by warning staff and students that there was a distinction "between free speech and political advocacy", and that "we can only exercise our right to free speech insofar as we feel safe and respected".If campaigns in California were to follow these rules, they would be dull and uninformative.

The Economist

The American Bar Association will be conducting its evaluation of Ms Sotomayor, but this will yield a relatively uninformative rating of "well-qualified", "qualified", or "not qualified".

The Economist

In his first mention of the man who was to become prime minister, Young describes him in 1990 as "pleasant, serious and uninformative".

The Economist

With a few exceptions Discovery Channel, ESPN, NHK specials, BBC documentaries, for example—pictures usually take precedence over content in television: a news item that runs for more than half a minute (ie, more than 100 spoken words) is called "lengthy" by television producers.In its way, the Internet can be just as uninformative, albeit for different reasons.

The Economist

That is a minimal definition but perhaps not altogether uninformative.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Why can't you make phone calls on it?" were being murmured almost immediately; maybe that's only to be expected after one of the most intense, yet curiously uninformative and possibly unintentional hype campaigns in history.

Independent

Two years ago I wrote a piece on these pages bemoaning the cheap, uninformative and frankly unfunny flyers many comedians used to promote their shows.

Independent

The formal presentation is tiresome, trite, and uninformative.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "uninformative", consider specifying what kind of information is lacking to provide a clearer critique. For instance, instead of saying "The report was uninformative," you could say "The report was uninformative about the project's budget."

Common error

Avoid using "uninformative" as a generic criticism without specifying why something lacks value. Always clarify what specific details or insights are missing to make your feedback more constructive and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "uninformative" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns, describing them as lacking useful or interesting information. Ludwig examples confirm this, showing it used to describe reports, articles, and presentations as "uninformative".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "uninformative" aptly describes something lacking useful or interesting information, a conclusion supported by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in Science, News & Media, and Encyclopedias. To maximize clarity, specify what information is lacking rather than making vague criticisms. Related terms include "lacking substance" and "devoid of information". While common, it's essential to avoid overuse and ensure specificity in its application, as doing so is far more constructive. Ludwig's examples underscore its utility and versatility in conveying a critical assessment of content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

devoid of information

This highlights a complete absence of informational content.

telling nothing

This is a more emphatic way of stating a complete lack of informative content.

lacking substance

This alternative emphasizes the absence of significant content or depth.

not enlightening

This alternative focuses on the failure to illuminate or clarify a topic.

offering no insight

This suggests a failure to provide any understanding or perspective.

uninstructive

This indicates a lack of educational or teaching value.

giving no details

This points to a lack of specific or particular information.

contributing nothing

This suggests that the subject does not add any value or relevant content.

providing no data

This emphasizes the absence of factual or statistical information.

adding no value

This focuses on the absence of beneficial or useful information.

FAQs

How can I use "uninformative" in a sentence?

You can use "uninformative" to describe something that lacks useful or interesting information. For example: "The presentation was generally "uninformative" and didn't provide any new insights".

What are some synonyms for "uninformative"?

Some synonyms for "uninformative" include "lacking substance", "devoid of information", and "not enlightening".

Is it better to say "uninformative" or "not informative"?

"Uninformative" and "not informative" are largely interchangeable, but "uninformative" can sound more concise and direct. The choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

When is it appropriate to describe something as "uninformative"?

It's appropriate to use "uninformative" when you want to convey that something lacks relevant details, insights, or useful content. Ensure you can specify why something is "uninformative" for greater clarity.