useful figure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "useful figure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person or a numerical representation that provides valuable information or insight in a specific context. Example: "The report included a useful figure that illustrated the growth trends over the past decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Examples of used and discarded topologies would be a useful figure (perhaps more useful than the present Figure  1).

Biology Direct

A more useful figure was gross national product, which measured the wealth kept within a country, it said.

The Guardian

That Dickinson was a useful figure to two American eras with much in common.

The New York Times - Arts

It's not clear whether those download figures include updates and upgraded phones; a more useful figure would be the number of active Skype accounts in the past month.

The Guardian - Tech

He's a useful figure to think back upon from the perspective of today, when much of our most vital architecture is parked at the intersection of psychoanalysis and political science.

The New York Times - Arts

In choosing or developing semiconductor materials suitable for thermoelectric generators, a useful figure of merit is the square of the Seebeck coefficient divided by the product of the electrical resistivity and the thermal conductivity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

For students and classroom use, there are a number of useful figures including: tentative paleogeographic reconstruction for circa 525 million years ago, carbon isotopes and fossil ranges plotted against age, and timing of animal appearances in the earliest Cambrian.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The report has some useful figures (table 4.1, for instance) that should be used as a starting point to assess where the UK public sector should focus on developing the UK industrial base and where procurement should focus on achieving lowest cost.

The Guardian

You will find some useful figures here.

The Guardian

He had no useful figures, it would seem; He deferred all big questions to "my team".

The New Yorker

Useful figures are detailed in "key information sets", including a breakdown of learning via lectures and seminars, independent study, and time spent on placement.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "useful figure", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the figure valuable. Providing a brief explanation of its significance can enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "useful figure" without justifying its relevance. If the figure does not contribute meaningfully to the understanding of the subject matter, it may be perceived as unnecessary or misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "useful figure" functions primarily as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. It identifies a specific item (a figure) while highlighting its quality of being beneficial or helpful. Ludwig AI indicates that it's used to describe something that provides value in a particular context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "useful figure" is a phrase used to describe something, be it data or a person, that offers value or insight. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While generally neutral in tone, the context determines its register, and it appears most frequently in scientific and news media sources. Alternatives include "helpful diagram" or "valuable statistic". To maximize clarity, always justify the usefulness of the figure when employing this phrase. The phrase is grammatically correct and common enough to be understood, but attention to detail is important to fully understand the context in which it may appear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

helpful diagram

Replaces "figure" with a more specific term for a visual aid, implying assistance in understanding.

valuable statistic

Substitutes "figure" with "statistic", emphasizing the numerical aspect and its worth.

practical illustration

Replaces "useful" with "practical" and "figure" with "illustration", focusing on the applicability and visual nature.

advantageous chart

Replaces "useful" with "advantageous", highlighting the benefit provided by the chart.

effective depiction

Swaps "useful" with "effective" and "figure" with "depiction", suggesting a powerful and clear visual representation.

instrumental graphic

Emphasizes the importance of the graphic in achieving a specific purpose.

significant metric

Focuses on the importance of the numerical measure in assessment.

relevant indicator

Highlights the pertinence of the figure as a sign or signal.

informative representation

Stresses the informative quality of the figure in portraying something.

helpful numerical value

Specifies that the "figure" is a numerical value that provides assistance.

FAQs

What does "useful figure" mean in scientific writing?

In scientific writing, "useful figure" often refers to a graph, chart, or illustration that effectively conveys data or complex relationships, aiding in understanding and analysis. It's expected to be more than just visually appealing; it must provide meaningful insights.

Can "useful figure" refer to a person?

While less common, "useful figure" can refer to a person who is beneficial or helpful in a particular situation. However, this usage is infrequent and may sound somewhat formal or archaic compared to alternatives like "valuable asset" or "helpful person".

What are some alternatives to "useful figure" in a business context?

In a business setting, you might replace "useful figure" with phrases like "key metric", "valuable data point", or "insightful statistic" to emphasize the actionable information derived from the data.

How do I ensure a figure is truly a "useful figure" in my report?

To ensure a figure is indeed "useful", make sure it is clearly labeled, directly relevant to your text, and presented in a way that is easy to understand. Provide a caption that explains the figure's key takeaways and how it supports your argument. If the figure doesn't add significant value, consider omitting it.