useless person

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "useless person" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone perceived as lacking value or effectiveness in a particular context. Example: "After several failed attempts to contribute to the project, he was unfortunately labeled a useless person by his peers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

That is a useless person".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I believe that I am the most vile, worthless and useless person ever to have existed on this planet".

The New York Times - Magazine

In fact, MacFarlane joked early on in the panel that he was "the most useless person up here", as he'll be working as a non-writing executive producer on the show.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Once Gulliver worked out that the quickest way out of this was to accept he was a fairly useless person, Hodge lost interest and turned her attentions to Chris Meares, the man who had been in charge of HSBC's private banking arm while industrial-scale tax evasion and money laundering was taking place.

The Guardian - Business

They don't understand that by 11 30 at night, you've been on the road all day on the receiving end of every other useless person's fuck-up dominoes.

The Guardian - Books

In contrast, an individual who fails in his striving in the Akan community may be judged as onipa hun, which literally means "useless person," an opprobrious expression.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

If the person at the other end asked to leave a message, I would sigh heavily, like a useless personal assistant.

The Guardian - Books

(However, one of their concurrences provided the blueprint for the Trump-affiliated Super PAC Trash the Useless Mediocre Person's Twenty-Second Amendment's campaign to amend the Constitution).

The New Yorker

"TV is useless now," one person posted on a Chinese weibo, or microblogging site.

The Economist

All of which are useless if a person can't direct his own care, or if family members are at odds, or they are rummaging through drawers and files looking for the paperwork while the ER staff stands by.

The New York Times

Links are not enough – they're generally useless if the person reading it is on a Blackberry or on an airplane.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "useless person", consider the impact of your words. While accurate in some contexts, it's often better to focus on specific shortcomings rather than labeling someone entirely.

Common error

Avoid using "useless person" as a blanket statement. Instead, pinpoint specific areas where improvement is needed. For example, instead of saying "He's a useless person on the team", try "His contributions to project planning have been minimal"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "useless person" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object to describe an individual deemed lacking in value or effectiveness. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is indeed usable in written English, functioning descriptively within sentences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "useless person" is a grammatically correct and commonly used descriptor for someone perceived as lacking value or effectiveness. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, it's crucial to consider the negative implications and potentially offensive nature of this phrase. Context matters significantly; alternatives like "ineffective individual" or "worthless person" might be more appropriate depending on the situation. Usage analysis reveals that this phrase is frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. However, exercise caution when deploying it, especially in formal settings, and always strive for specificity rather than broad generalizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worthless individual

Emphasizes lack of worth or value, a stronger negative connotation.

ineffectual person

Focuses on the inability to produce a desired effect.

unproductive member

Highlights a lack of output or contribution.

incompetent individual

Suggests a lack of necessary skills or abilities.

good-for-nothing

Informal term indicating a lack of purpose or value.

failed human being

A harsh expression implying a fundamental lack of success in life.

inadequate person

Suggests someone not good enough for a specific task or role.

non-contributor

Directly points out the absence of contribution.

unskilled worker

Focuses on the lack of specific job-related skills.

dependent individual

Highlights reliance on others for support.

FAQs

What does "useless person" mean?

The phrase "useless person" refers to someone perceived as lacking value or effectiveness, often failing to contribute meaningfully in a given situation.

What can I say instead of "useless person"?

You can use alternatives like "worthless individual", "ineffectual person", or "incompetent individual" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to call someone a "useless person"?

While the phrase is grammatically correct, it's generally considered harsh and potentially offensive. Consider gentler alternatives that focus on specific deficiencies instead of labeling the entire individual.

How does the meaning of "useless person" differ from "ineffective person"?

"Useless person" implies a complete lack of value or contribution, while "ineffective person" suggests an inability to produce the desired results, even with effort. The latter is often a more nuanced and less judgmental description.