utterly worthless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly worthless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has no value or is completely without worth. Example: "After reviewing the project, I concluded that the proposed solution was utterly worthless and would not meet our needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

D. Taylor, the head of the culinary union, describes such courting as "utterly worthless".

The Economist

Many provided only classroom lessons, which, unconnected to clinical or laboratory experience, Flexner considered "utterly worthless".

The New Yorker

Using them is such an utterly worthless waste of time," says Collins.

The Guardian

I feel utterly worthless, a failure at everything I've ever done.

The Guardian

They had, after all, been utterly worthless ever since the Communists came into power in 1917.

The New York Times

Bragg came to hate the bishop and once described him as "an old woman" and "utterly worthless".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Absolutely worthless.

The Guardian

"He must have felt utterly alone and worthless for much of that time, being the subject of his mother and stepfather's anger and rejection.

The Guardian

A cataclysm of that magnitude has inevitably left an indelible mark on the psyche of a people made to feel not just powerless, but also utterly degraded and worthless.

The Guardian - Opinion

The case review concludes that Daniel "must have felt utterly alone and worthless … At times he was treated as inhuman, and the level of helplessness he must have felt in such a terrifying environment would have been overwhelming".

The Guardian

The report said Daniel's "traumatic abusive experiences" during the last six months of his life were "shocking", adding: "He must have felt utterly alone and worthless for much of that time, being the subject of his mother and stepfather's anger and rejection.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, consider the audience and the desired impact. It's a forceful expression that can convey strong disapproval or disappointment.

Common error

While "utterly worthless" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "invaluable" or "insignificant" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly worthless" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to express a strong negative assessment of its value or utility. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage, supporting its role in expressing strong disapproval or lack of value.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

14%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utterly worthless" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a complete lack of value or merit. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across various domains, including news, academia, and science. While its strong connotation makes it suitable for expressing disapproval or futility, it's advisable to use more neutral alternatives in highly formal contexts. Remember to tailor the intensity of your language to suit the audience and the specific purpose of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely without value

Emphasizes the absence of any worth or merit.

entirely valueless

Highlights that something possesses no value whatsoever.

absolutely pointless

Focuses on the lack of purpose or meaning.

totally insignificant

Stresses the lack of importance or consequence.

entirely futile

Implies that any effort is doomed to fail and is therefore worthless.

of no consequence

Indicates that something has no importance or effect.

not worth a dime

An idiomatic expression emphasizing the low monetary value.

devoid of merit

Highlights the absence of positive qualities or worth.

good for nothing

Suggests something is incapable of serving any useful purpose.

bereft of value

Similar to 'completely without value', but with a slightly more formal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "utterly worthless" in a sentence?

You can use "utterly worthless" to describe something that lacks value or importance. For example, "The old car was now "utterly worthless" after the accident."

What are some alternatives to "utterly worthless"?

Alternatives include "completely without value", "entirely valueless", or "absolutely pointless", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "utterly worthless" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "utterly worthless" might be too strong for some formal contexts. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "insignificant" or "invaluable" to maintain a professional tone.

What makes something "utterly worthless"?

Something is "utterly worthless" when it has no practical use, monetary value, or significant importance. It is considered to be completely without merit or benefit.