usefully

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "usefully" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is done in a manner that is helpful or beneficial. Example: "The information was presented usefully, allowing the team to make informed decisions quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Would the prime minister agree that this is proof of the success of his long-term economic plan?" That time could be much more usefully used by the opposition.

The Guardian

The New Yorker article usefully directs us to a book called The Quote Verifier: Who Said What, Where and When by Ralph Keyes.

The Guardian - Books

A debate cunningly devised as a car crash by Team Cameron turned out to be usefully revealing of them all.

The Guardian - Opinion

Also, courtesy of Danny Boyle's inspired direction, her appearance at the Olympic opening ceremony usefully reinvented Elizabeth II as a relaxed, fun-loving monarch who could teach Boris Johnson a thing or two about how to dangle from a wire.

The Guardian - Opinion

Of current "strongmen", we are quite taken with Yahya Jammeh, president of Gambia since a coup in 1994, and leader of the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction – a name which might usefully be borrowed by whatever chaotic multi-party coalition emerges from next week's electoral imbroglio in the UK.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sackett had impressed Evans with his declaration that unless epidemiology and statistics were integrated into every part of the curriculum – rather than taught separately – they could not be usefully taught at all.

The Guardian

Wright is now dead, a thought the RIRA might usefully ponder.

The Guardian

They have however usefully provoked a new debate on two very old questions, both still urgent and important: what is al-Qaida?

The Guardian

The Commons could also usefully dispense with the half dozen or so whip-planted questions from Tory backbenchers along the lines of "Five people got a job in my constituency last week.

The Guardian

GPs might equally usefully steer patients towards the healthtalk websites, where fellow sufferers tell their stories.

The Guardian

'Politics isn't boring' "I think comedy can usefully be used as part of the scrutiny of our political system and not just to do jokes about the physical hilariousness of some politicians," he says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "usefully", ensure it clearly modifies the verb, indicating how an action is performed in a beneficial or effective manner. For example, "The data was usefully presented" indicates the presentation method was helpful.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by placing "usefully" close to the verb it modifies. Incorrect: "Usefully, the report provided insights." Correct: "The report usefully provided insights."

Linguistic Context

The word "usefully" functions primarily as an adverb. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to describe the manner in which an action is performed or a quality is exhibited. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates that something is done in a way that is helpful or beneficial.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "usefully" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverb that indicates the manner in which an action is performed is helpful or beneficial. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's prevalent in news and media, as well as formal business contexts, emphasizing the effectiveness of actions. To ensure clarity, place "usefully" close to the verb it modifies. Consider using alternatives like "effectively" or "helpfully" for nuanced meanings. By following these guidelines, you can confidently and usefully" incorporate this adverb into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

effectively

This alternative is a direct synonym, indicating that something is done in a way that achieves the desired result.

beneficially

This suggests that the action brings about a positive outcome or advantage.

in a helpful manner

This alternative provides a more descriptive way of expressing the action is performed in a way that aids or assists.

constructively

This indicates that the action contributes to improvement or development.

to good effect

This phrase emphasizes the positive result or impact of an action.

with utility

This alternative directly refers to the usefulness of the action.

in a productive way

This suggests that the action leads to a tangible output or accomplishment.

advantageously

This emphasizes the beneficial or favorable nature of the action.

profitably

This highlights the gain or benefit derived from an action, often in a business context.

in a practical sense

This focuses on the realistic and applicable nature of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "usefully" in a sentence?

"Usefully" modifies a verb, indicating an action is performed in a helpful or beneficial manner. For example, "The tool "usefully analyzed" the data."

What are some alternatives to "usefully"?

Alternatives include "effectively", "helpfully", or "beneficially", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "Usefully, I found the information"?

While understandable, it's better to phrase it as "I "usefully found" the information" or "I found the information "usefully"" to clearly show "usefully" modifies the verb "found".

What is the difference between "usefully" and "helpful"?

"Usefully" is an adverb that describes how an action is performed, while "helpful" is an adjective describing something that provides assistance. For example, "The tool was "helpful"," and "The tool "usefully analyzed" the data."