useful to someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'useful to someone' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when you want to describe something that has some practical value or utility to someone, either in the present or future. For example: "This book is likely to be useful to someone looking to learn more about the history of the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

But now, knowing I might finally be useful to someone, I managed to say nothing.

The New Yorker

Is the site useful to someone who cares about global warming but not about, say, animal welfare?

The New York Times

We may even have the unlooked-for pleasure of being useful to someone else who draws strength from what we've built.

The Guardian - Books

The so-called design courses in the late 1930s were too unfocused to be useful to someone already obsessed with functional design.

The Guardian - Arts

It was easier to be thought of as shy than gay – "shy is useful to someone shy of saying (or thinking) something else".

The Guardian

This training is a new frontier for me: combining accurate medical information gathering with a meaningful interpersonal interaction that is useful to someone else".

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

"And it was so useful to have someone in our own space telling us what we were doing wrong, since Stanley can't talk".

The New York Times

"Useful to have someone on standby".

The Guardian - Money

Probably it would be more useful to send someone around and ask the mannequins to upend their Chanel pouchettes.

The New York Times

He thought it would be useful to have someone to help him make his arguments — which of the Hindu saints and gods was the best, for instance.

The New Yorker

At the very least, it would be useful to have someone running the civil service that understands why a platform approach makes sense for public services.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the potential impact of an action or information, use "useful to someone" to highlight its practical value for an individual. For instance, "This guide could be useful to someone planning their first trip abroad."

Common error

Avoid using "useful to someone" when the information or action has broad benefits. Instead, opt for "useful to many" or "widely beneficial" to reflect the wider scope.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "useful to someone" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something provides a benefit or has practical value for an individual. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "useful to someone" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something has practical value or utility for an individual. Ludwig examples demonstrate its wide applicability across various contexts, particularly in news, wiki and scientific sources. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and provides context for understanding its appropriate usage. Alternatives include "valuable to someone" or "beneficial to someone", which can be used depending on the desired level of formality. When writing, consider the specific audience and ensure that the scope of benefit aligns with the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Helpful to someone

Directly conveys the idea of providing assistance.

Beneficial to someone

Is a slightly more formal synonym emphasizing positive effects.

Valuable to someone

Highlights the importance or worth of something to an individual.

Benefits someone

Shortens the phrase while keeping the core meaning about advantages.

Worthwhile to someone

Emphasizes the value or benefit that someone receives.

Advantageous to someone

Stresses the favorable or beneficial nature for a person.

Desirable to someone

Focuses on the attractiveness or appeal of something to an individual.

Serves someone

Indicates that something provides assistance or meets a need.

Useful to anyone

Broadens the scope to include all individuals, rather than a specific person.

Relevant to someone

Highlights the pertinence or applicability of something to a specific person.

FAQs

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

Use "useful to someone" to indicate that something has practical value or utility for an individual. For example: "This tool is designed to be useful to someone who is new to coding."

What's a good alternative to "useful to someone"?

Consider using alternatives such as "valuable to someone", "beneficial to someone", or "helpful to someone" depending on the specific context.

Is "useful to someone" formal or informal?

"Useful to someone" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal synonyms like "beneficial" might be preferred in certain settings.

How does "useful to someone" differ from "useful to everyone"?

"Useful to someone" indicates a benefit for a specific individual or a limited group, while "useful to everyone" suggests a widespread benefit that applies to all individuals. "Useful to everyone" implies a broader impact.