useful goods

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "useful goods" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to items or products that have practical value or serve a purpose. Example: "The store specializes in selling useful goods that enhance everyday living."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Non-wood forest products or minor forest products, the term used for everything the forest provides other than timber, are a cornucopia of useful goods for humankind.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

If we had that, you could be training people while they were also producing socially useful goods and services.

MIT Technology Review

They provide enormous benefits to humanity, including investment returns, employment opportunities, tax payments, useful goods and services, and transformative innovations.

Cornell University

Each night, you must direct the strongest members of the party out into the streets to scavenge for food, medicine and other useful goods.

The Guardian - Tech

All production systems, when viewed at the most abstract level, might be said to be "transformation processes"—processes that transform resources into useful goods and services.

Britannica

Even if you agree with this spending, it generally doesn't produce useful goods and services that raise our standard of living.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

I recognize that sounds a bit dry, but Hunter writes with a just-insider-enough style — I enjoy her use of bloodline words like "useful," "good," and " and "honest," — and weaves in anecdotes from some of the most interesting races.

The New York Times

"Masters of Sex" may not be revolutionary TV, but it's got something just as useful: good chemistry.

The New Yorker

Shipping containers have proven themselves to be endlessly useful -- good thing, then, that the clever folks repurposing them are endlessly creative.

HuffPost

Quantitative cancer risk estimates of PAHs as air pollutants are very uncertain because of the lack of useful, good-quality data.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Our study suggests that the caregivers' consideration reinforces the fathers and mothers in their role and promotes the emergence of a feeling of being useful, good and irreplaceable for the child.

BMC Pediatrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the output of a production process or the benefits of a resource, use "useful goods" to highlight their practical value to the end-user.

Common error

While "useful goods" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overusing it in very informal writing. Consider simpler alternatives like "helpful items" or "practical stuff" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "useful goods" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "useful" modifies the noun "goods". It describes items or products that have a practical purpose or provide some benefit. Ludwig's examples show its usage in various contexts, emphasizing the practical value of the items being described.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "useful goods" is a grammatically sound and generally accepted term for describing items with practical value. Ludwig identifies it as a noun phrase with a neutral to formal register, used to convey the practicality and value of products in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic writing. While not extremely common, its usage is correct, and it can be a valuable term for emphasizing the functional benefits of items being discussed. Although the phrase is correct and usable in written English, simpler alternatives might be preferable depending on the audience and purpose. It's always better to use "useful goods" when you want to focus on the practical aspect of items.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

practical merchandise

Replaces "goods" with a synonym that emphasizes the functional aspect.

functional products

Emphasizes the designed purpose and utility of the items.

valuable commodities

Highlights the economic worth and usefulness of the items.

helpful provisions

Focuses on the supportive nature and practical assistance provided.

serviceable items

Emphasizes the durability and fitness for use of the items.

advantageous wares

Highlights the beneficial nature of the products being offered.

beneficial supplies

Emphasizes that the supplies are advantageous and helpful.

advantageous products

Highlights the benefitial nature of the products.

functional commodities

Replaces "goods" with a more formal term, still emphasizing practicality.

practical supplies

Emphasizes that the supplies are practical.

FAQs

How can I use "useful goods" in a sentence?

You can use "useful goods" to describe items that serve a practical purpose. For example, "The market sells a variety of "practical merchandise" for everyday use."

What are some alternatives to "useful goods"?

Some alternatives include "functional products", "valuable commodities", or "helpful provisions", depending on the context.

Is "useful goods" formal or informal?

"Useful goods" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more specific alternatives might be preferable depending on the audience and purpose.

What is the difference between "useful goods" and "luxury items"?

"Useful goods" emphasizes practicality and necessity, while "luxury items" focuses on opulence and non-essential enjoyment. The former serves a purpose, while the latter provides pleasure or status.