useful to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "useful to do" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the practicality or benefit of performing a specific action or task. Example: "This method is useful to do when trying to improve efficiency in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's fun to use and gives children something useful to do during backyard parties.

The New York Times

In thinking about mobility, migration or poverty reduction, it is useful to do the analysis using equivalent cohorts.

Latin American Economic Review

I had left myself with nothing useful to do.

The Guardian

Couldn't he find something more useful to do?

The Guardian - Books

He says: "I really want to do something useful, to do some good in the world.

The Guardian

This phenomenal success was down to giving supporters something tangible and useful to do.

The Guardian

Why not give it something useful to do? Memorize some poetry or prose, nothing too arcane.

The New York Times

Even future American governments may find it more politic, and useful, to do so.

The Economist

"Why don't you go out and play?" "Can't you find her something useful to do?" Nor said.

The New Yorker

So I thought it might be useful to do a case study on one of these high-income taxpayers.

The New York Times

"I was lucky that I could find something useful to do," she told The Times in a 1993 interview.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing or advising someone, use "useful to do" to clearly indicate the benefit of taking a specific action. For example, "It's useful to do a trial run before the final performance."

Common error

Avoid using "useful to do" in overly passive constructions that obscure who should perform the action. Instead of "It would be useful to do this research," specify "Researchers find it useful to do this research."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "useful to do" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive. It is used to describe the utility or benefit of performing a certain action. As supported by Ludwig, this structure is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "useful to do" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to convey the practicality or benefit of performing an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, including News & Media and Science. When advising or suggesting actions, "useful to do" clearly indicates the value. To enhance writing, avoid passive voice and consider more concise synonyms like "beneficial to perform" or "advantageous to undertake" for increased impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advantageous to undertake

Emphasizes the benefit or gain derived from doing something, highlighting the positive outcome.

beneficial to perform

Focuses on the positive impact or helpfulness of carrying out a particular action.

helpful to accomplish

Highlights the assistance or support that something provides in achieving a specific goal.

worthwhile to execute

Suggests that the action is valuable and justifies the effort required to complete it.

practical to implement

Indicates that the action is feasible and likely to produce effective results in a real-world setting.

productive to engage in

Emphasizes the creation of value or output as a result of participating in the activity.

expedient to carry out

Implies that the action is the most suitable or convenient way to achieve a desired outcome.

opportune to pursue

Highlights the favorable timing or circumstances for undertaking the action.

advisable to consider

Suggests that thinking about something is a prudent action, although it may not necessarily be performed

judicious to attempt

Implies that doing something needs good judgement, but that it might require additional tests to produce results.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "useful to do" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "advantageous to perform", "beneficial to execute", or "expedient to implement", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

What are some common situations where it's "useful to do" something?

The phrase "useful to do" is often employed when providing advice, suggesting best practices, or highlighting the benefits of performing a particular task or activity. It's used to emphasize the practicality and value of an action in achieving a desired outcome.

Is there a difference between "useful to do" and "useful for"?

Yes, "useful to do" is generally followed by a verb, indicating an action, whereas "useful for" is typically followed by a noun or gerund, indicating a purpose or function. For example, "It's useful to do research" versus "It's useful for gathering data".

How can I make my writing more concise when using "useful to do"?

To enhance conciseness, consider replacing "useful to do" with a stronger verb or adjective that conveys the same meaning more directly. For instance, instead of "It's useful to do a review," you could say "Reviewing is beneficial."