usefulness to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "usefulness to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to the beneficial effect that something has on a person or situation. For example, "The new drug has shown its usefulness to people with chronic pain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

New technologies and new kinds of wars have eclipsed the usefulness to us of land mines.

The New York Times

"Its usefulness to us is almost unlimited," she says.

BBC

It makes you feel that you're useful, but it's usefulness to the community.

The New York Times

Yet he proved his usefulness to the last.

The New York Times

But they have probably outlived their chief usefulness to him.

The New York Times - Arts

The speed of student feedback becomes more important than its quality, or usefulness to students.

The Guardian

It's just that their usefulness to the studio is at an end.

The New Yorker

Their usefulness to the state is likely to improve after that span.

The New Yorker

The Internet, he told the crowd, had barely begun to show its usefulness to business.

The New York Times

Its place in history and canonical rank must be refined, its usefulness to contemporary artists explored.

The New York Times - Books

"We need to rediscover a reverence for the natural world, irrespective of its usefulness to ourselves," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "usefulness to", ensure you clearly identify to whom or what the subject is useful. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the degree of usefulness. Qualify your statements with adverbs like "potentially", "somewhat", or "highly" to accurately reflect the actual benefit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "usefulness to" acts as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a noun, specifying the recipient or beneficiary of the usefulness. Ludwig examples show it expressing how something provides a specific benefit or advantage to a particular entity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

28%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "usefulness to" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase that signifies the practical benefit or advantage something offers to a specific recipient. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating to whom or what the subject is useful and avoiding overstatements of its actual benefit. Consider alternatives like "utility for" or "benefit for" to fine-tune the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utility for

Replaces "usefulness" with "utility", focusing on the practical application of something for a specific purpose.

benefit for

Substitutes "usefulness" with "benefit", highlighting the advantages or positive outcomes something provides.

value for

Emphasizes the worth or importance of something in relation to a particular entity or goal.

advantage for

Highlights the favorable position or improved circumstances resulting from something.

relevance to

Indicates how closely connected or pertinent something is to a specific context or subject.

applicability to

Focuses on the suitability or appropriateness of something for a particular situation or purpose.

serviceability for

Emphasizes the ability of something to provide a useful function or service.

effectiveness for

Highlights the degree to which something achieves a desired result or outcome.

contribution to

Emphasizes the role something plays in supporting or advancing a particular goal or outcome.

importance to

Stresses the significance or weight of something in relation to a specific entity or purpose.

FAQs

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

You can use "usefulness to" to describe the beneficial effect something has on someone or something. For example, "The Internet, he told the crowd, had barely begun to show its "usefulness to" business."

What are some alternatives to "usefulness to"?

Alternatives include "utility for", "benefit for", or "value for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the usefulness of" instead of "usefulness to"?

Yes, "the usefulness of" is also correct, but it expresses a more general quality, whereas "usefulness to" emphasizes the specific recipient or beneficiary of that usefulness. For example, "the usefulness of this tool" vs. "the usefulness to designers".

How does "relevance to" differ from "usefulness to"?

"Relevance to" indicates a connection or pertinence to a subject, while "usefulness to" suggests a practical benefit or advantage. While something can be relevant without being useful, something that is useful will always be relevant to a certain extent.