useful to

USAGE SUMMARY

"useful to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing something that is beneficial or practical. For example, "This website provides useful information to people who are looking for a new job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The game is useful to us both".

The New Yorker

That would be useful to us.

The New York Times

That's useful to Apple.

The Guardian - Tech

Hope it's useful to somebody.

The New York Times

Are apps useful to you?

The New York Times

All useful to know.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Useful to me too.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This is all very useful to know".

Independent

This is no doubt useful to know.

The New Yorker

But Aaron is useful to keep around.

The Economist

Because it is useful to them, too.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the benefits of a feature, product, or service, use "useful to" to clearly indicate who or what gains the advantage. For example, "This tool is especially useful to small business owners."

Common error

Avoid using "useful to" when a more direct, active voice construction would be clearer and more concise. Instead of "The study was useful to understanding climate change", try "The study helped us understand climate change".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "useful to" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, primarily modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate benefit or advantage. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically sound construction. The phrase signifies that something provides assistance or serves a practical purpose for the specified recipient.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "useful to" is a grammatically correct and very common construction used to express that something provides a benefit or advantage. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's versatile and appears in various contexts, including news, science, and general writing, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. While "useful to" is generally appropriate, writers should consider whether a more direct, active voice construction might offer greater clarity. Alternative phrases such as "helpful to" or "beneficial to" can add nuance depending on the specific context. Its widespread use and clear meaning make it a reliable choice for expressing benefit or advantage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

helpful to

Substitutes "useful" with "helpful", emphasizing assistance provided.

of use to

Inverts the structure while retaining the core meaning of being helpful.

valuable to

Changes "useful" to "valuable", stressing the worth or importance.

beneficial for

Replaces "useful" with "beneficial", focusing on the advantageous aspect.

advantageous to

Replaces "useful" with "advantageous", highlighting the favorable outcome.

an asset to

Conveys the idea of being a valuable resource or advantage.

good for

Offers a simpler, more general alternative to express benefit.

practical for

Replaces "useful" with "practical", focusing on the feasibility and effectiveness.

serviceable to

Substitutes "useful" with "serviceable", indicating fitness for a specific purpose.

instrumental for

Highlights the role of being a key factor in achieving something.

FAQs

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

You can use "useful to" to describe something that provides a benefit or advantage to someone or something. For example, "This information is "helpful to" students" or "The tool is "beneficial to" our project.

What are some alternatives to "useful to"?

Some alternatives to "useful to" include "helpful to", "beneficial to", "valuable to", and "advantageous to". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "useful for" instead of "useful to"?

While "useful to" emphasizes who or what benefits, "useful for" typically describes the purpose or application. For example, "This tool is useful to students" (who benefits) vs. "This tool is useful for research" (the purpose). The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What is the difference between "useful to" and "important to"?

"Useful to" indicates practicality or helpfulness, while "important to" signifies significance or value. Something "useful to" someone helps them achieve a goal, while something "important to" them holds a high degree of personal or intrinsic worth.