worthless items

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worthless items" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe objects or possessions that have no value or are considered to be of no use. Example: "After cleaning out the garage, I realized I had accumulated a lot of worthless items that I needed to dispose of."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He said: "The defendants were involved in selling effectively worthless items to the public.

The Guardian

The obvious solution — to deaccession the relatively worthless items — has been blocked, however, by clauses in Colonel Friedsam's will that require the museum to obtain permission from the estate's executors.

The New York Times

Jones, the chief executive of the Community Service Society of New York, which works with low-income residents, said that soft-drink companies were selling "worthless items to poor communities".

The New York Times

The obvious solution — to deaccession (to sell or give away) the relatively worthless items — has been blocked, however, by clauses in Colonel Friedsam's will that require the museum to obtain permission from the estate's executors.

The New York Times - Arts

Explain for each pair, what makes one less expensive than the other (materials, production cost, etc).. 2. In keeping with James Zemaitis' humble beginnings, start a collection of seemingly worthless items, such as Snapple caps, soda cans, or even your school's office passes.

The New York Times

So some males wrap up worthless items, like the remains of already-eaten prey or bits of plants.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The symptom "worthless" (item E) was endorsed by a small minority of respondents, roughly 10% and, together with the symptom "hopeless" (item D) it was the most important contributor to the latent score of psychological distress.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

The symptom "hopeless" (item D) was endorsed by a small minority of respondents, roughly 15% but, together with the symptom "worthless" (item E) it was the most important contributor to the latent score of psychological distress.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

The symptoms least frequently endorsed by both men and women were feeling "hopeless" (item D) and "worthless" (item E); 3% to 8% of respondents reported feeling these symptoms some of the time or more in the past 30 days.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

The K6 is a uni-dimensional scale made up of 6 items asking respondents how often during the past 30 days they felt: so sad that nothing could cheer them up (item A); nervous (item B); restless or fidgety (item C); hopeless (item D); worthless (item E); that everything was an effort (item F).

BMC Medical Research Methodology

A higher percent of women than of men reported feeling "so sad nothing could cheer you up" (item A: 16% vs. 9%), "nervous" (item B: 27% vs. 21%), "hopeless" (item D: 8% vs. 5%) and "worthless" (item E: 5% vs. 3%) some of the time, most of the time or all of the time in the past 30 days.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing items as "worthless items", be specific about why they lack value. Provide context to help the reader understand the items' perceived uselessness.

Common error

Avoid vaguely labeling items as "worthless items" without providing a clear reason. Instead, specify what makes them without value, such as "outdated technology" or "broken appliances".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worthless items" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun. It is used to specify that the items being discussed have no value. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

32%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "worthless items" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to describe objects lacking value or utility. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts, with a neutral register. When using this phrase, be specific about why the items are considered worthless to enhance clarity. Alternatives such as ""valueless objects"" or ""useless things"" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valueless objects

Replaces "worthless" with "valueless", focusing on the lack of monetary or material value.

useless things

Shifts the focus from monetary worth to practical utility or function.

goods of no value

Explicitly states the absence of worth or merit of the items.

insignificant objects

Emphasizes the lack of importance or consequence of the items.

things of little worth

Emphasizes the small amount of value associated with the items.

trifling possessions

Highlights the trivial and unimportant nature of the items.

unimportant goods

Focuses on the lack of significance or consequence of the items in question.

unvalued articles

Highlights the fact that the items are not appreciated or valued by anyone.

expendable belongings

Implies the items can be easily disposed of without significant loss.

throwaway items

Focuses on the disposability and lack of long-term value.

FAQs

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

"Worthless items" can be used to describe possessions that have no monetary value or practical use. For example: "After years of collecting, he realized most of his baseball cards were "worthless items"."

What's a good alternative to "worthless items"?

Alternatives to "worthless items" include "valueless objects", "useless things", or "insignificant objects", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "worthless items"? Can't I just say "worthless"?

While "worthless" can stand alone, "worthless items" specifies that you're referring to tangible objects rather than abstract concepts or qualities. The phrase provides clarity in certain contexts.

What kind of items are typically considered "worthless items"?

Items considered "worthless items" often include broken appliances, outdated electronics, damaged goods, or promotional materials with no resale value. The perception of worth can also depend on individual needs and preferences.