virtually useless

USAGE SUMMARY

'virtually useless' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has almost no value or usefulness. For example: "The old laptop was virtually useless, with its slow processor and outdated operating system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's virtually useless.

Independent

Repellants were virtually useless.

The New York Times - Style

Although occasionally cute, baby humans are virtually useless.

The Guardian

Your foot may look fine, but it's virtually useless.

The New York Times - Sports

He had a camera too, but it was virtually useless in the murk of the Hudson.

The New York Times

Loopholes in the 1994 federal assault weapons ban rendered it virtually useless, many believe.

The New York Times

Virtual charter schools, the ultimate extension of this model, have been shown to be virtually useless.

The Washington Post

As a result, the data is virtually useless, Klinger and others say.

The Washington Post

He felt that imprisonment without such treatment was virtually useless in curbing antisocial behavior.

The New York Times

Drug trials and other randomized studies are virtually useless for capturing measurable effects on suicide.

The New York Times - Health

Even G.P.S. becomes virtually useless right at the pole, where all longitudes converge.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually useless" to soften the impact of a negative assessment. For instance, instead of saying "the data is completely useless", saying "the data is virtually useless" suggests there might be a tiny, theoretical value.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually useless" when something is entirely broken or non-functional. The 'virtually' implies a small degree of remaining usability, so ensure this nuance aligns with your intended meaning. If there's absolutely no function, use 'completely useless'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually useless" functions as a qualifying adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it possesses almost no value or functionality. It suggests a near-total lack of utility, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, while not being completely devoid of purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually useless" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that has very little practical value. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to indicate a near-total lack of utility without being completely devoid of purpose. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and academia, with a neutral register that makes it widely acceptable. When writing, ensure the context aligns with the nuance that the subject retains a minimal amount of functionality or value, and remember that alternatives like "almost useless" or "essentially useless" can provide similar meaning with subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost useless

Indicates a slight degree of usefulness remains; a minor shift in emphasis.

essentially useless

Highlights the fundamental lack of value or function.

practically useless

Focuses on the practical application or lack thereof.

effectively useless

Emphasizes the outcome or result of being without value.

functionally useless

Specifically addresses the lack of functional capability.

nigh useless

Uses an archaic term for "nearly", adding a stylistic flair.

largely ineffective

Focuses on the lack of effectiveness rather than complete uselessness.

as good as useless

This idiomatic expression provides a more conversational tone.

approaching futility

Shifts the focus to the action or effort being nearly futile.

bordering on pointless

Suggests the situation is nearing a state of having no purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "virtually useless" in a sentence?

You can use "virtually useless" to describe something that has very little value or effectiveness. For example, "The old map was "virtually useless" without a compass."

What's a more formal alternative to "virtually useless"?

In a formal context, consider using "largely ineffective", "substantially inoperative", or "of limited utility" as alternatives to "virtually useless".

Is it appropriate to use "virtually useless" in academic writing?

While "virtually useless" is understandable, academic writing often benefits from more precise language. Consider quantifying the ineffectiveness or lack of value if possible. Alternatives include "demonstrates negligible impact" or "provides minimal contribution".

Which is correct, "virtually useless" or "literally useless"?

Both phrases can be used, but they have different meanings. "Virtually useless" means something is almost useless, whereas "literally useless" means it's completely without use. Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual degree of uselessness.