useful person

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "useful person" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who makes a valuable contribution to something or someone who is of service to others. For example, "John is a very useful person; he always helps out in the office and volunteers in his free time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"I am a good person, a useful person to society.

The New York Times

"I have no knowledge, and so I am not a useful person.

The New York Times

"He is a very wise man and a very useful person for the future of Iraq," he said.

The New York Times

She sees herself as a "practical problem-solver"—a useful person in a place with plenty of problems.

The Economist

"They're trying to turn me from a normal, useful person into a nonentity," he said with a sigh.

The New York Times

After a particularly virulent episode at a dinner party at Gussow's house in 1978, Albee wrote a letter of apology: "By nature, I am a gentle, responsible, useful person, with a few special insights and gifts.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Nonetheless, all have now decided to change the course of their lives into a different direction; to lead decent lives and become productive and useful persons in society.

Unicef

Peta Credlin, in her role of most-useful-person-for-the-Labor-party for the campaign so far, used her Sunday Telegraph column to suggest government lawyers advised boat turnbacks were illegal – a policy introduced when she was Abbott's chief of staff.

The Guardian

Ms. Des Forges said Mr. Ntaganda was "somebody who has made his career out of being a useful military person regardless of the cause".

The New York Times

Thing also useful to person who wants music at bedtime.

The New Yorker

He now believes integrating the services more tightly will benefit Facebook's entire "family of apps" in the long term by making them more useful, the person said.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as a "useful person", specify the context in which they are useful. For example, "a useful person in the community" or "a useful person on the team".

Common error

Don't simply state that someone is a "useful person" without providing specific examples or details of their usefulness. Explain how they contribute and what makes them valuable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "useful person" functions primarily as a noun phrase that describes an individual who provides value, assistance, or benefit in a particular context. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct phrase, as demonstrated by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "useful person" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone who provides value or assistance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage. While versatile, specifying the context in which someone is "useful" enhances clarity. Alternatives like "helpful individual" or "valuable asset" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Though broadly applicable, consider the register of your writing and choose synonyms that are appropriate for the tone. Remember to illustrate the usefulness of the person with examples, to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

helpful individual

Replaces "useful" with "helpful", emphasizing the assistance they provide.

valuable asset

Focuses on the person's worth and contribution to an organization or group.

contributing member

Highlights the person's active participation and positive impact.

supportive colleague

Emphasizes the person's role in aiding and encouraging others in a professional setting.

instrumental figure

Suggests the person plays a crucial role in achieving a specific goal.

indispensable resource

Highlights that the person is essential and cannot be easily replaced.

practical problem-solver

Focuses on the person's ability to effectively address and resolve issues.

capable professional

Highlights the person's competence and skill in a professional environment.

serviceable individual

Emphasizes the person's ability to provide a specific service or function.

productive member of society

Highlights the person's contribution to the wider community and their ability to generate positive outcomes.

FAQs

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

You can use "useful person" to describe someone who provides value or assistance in a particular context. For example, "She is a "valuable asset" to the team because she is a "useful person" who always finds solutions".

What are some synonyms for "useful person"?

Alternatives to "useful person" include "helpful individual", "valuable asset", or "contributing member", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to call someone a "useful person" in a formal setting?

Yes, "useful person" is generally appropriate in formal settings, especially when highlighting someone's contributions. However, using a more specific term like "capable professional" might be even more effective.

What's the difference between a "useful person" and a "purposeful person"?

A "useful person" is valuable for their ability to help or contribute, whereas a "purposeful person" is someone who has a clear goal or intention in their actions. While a useful person can add immediate value, a purposeful person may have a long term vision.