worthless object

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worthless object" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an item that has no value or utility, often in a negative or dismissive context. Example: "After years of neglect, the old car in the garage had become nothing more than a worthless object."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

His judgment can also transform a previously worthless object into something worth tens of millions of dollars.

The New Yorker

Last year one player, by bidding up the price of a worthless object and then getting his friend to destroy it, almost wiped out all the value in the entire universe.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although there is no direct reference to the saddlebag, she believes the letters do suggest that the story that the box belonged to Lawrence could well be true, and explain why such a scruffy and ostensibly worthless object was kept so carefully.

The Guardian

"After taking the money, he would vanish, while the customer would be discovering that Dawood had switched the watch for a stone or some such worthless object during the wrapping".

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The answer is simple: they made the prisoners into worthless objects, and then did as they wished.

The New Yorker

But it does mention a tantalizing symptom: inability "to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value".

The New York Times - Health

He takes these decidedly worthless objects and, spending long days and nights in his studio in Brooklyn, he makes them into objects that appear to be things of great worth.

The New York Times

"It seems," wrote veteran cassandra Brian Sewell, "a haphazard agglomeration of worthless objects accumulated by a magpie mind that from time to time remembered that its prime interest was medicine".

The Guardian - Arts

We call attention to Mr. Mantle's predicament only because it seems to us such a neat illustration of the magic fallacy, or the mania for the preservation of worthless objects.

The New Yorker

A related objection consists in the complaint that agents can have desires that clearly do not generate any practical reasons because they are for worthless objects.

SEP

Installation artist and TED 2014 Fellow, Shih Chieh Huang, takes that logic and evolves it to the nth degree as he dissects seemingly worthless objects (plastic bags, old toys, computer parts) and rebuilds them into surreal "living" organisms with a bioluminescent flair. .

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as a "worthless object", consider the context and the specific reason for its lack of value. Be precise in conveying why the object is considered worthless – is it broken, outdated, or simply unwanted?

Common error

While "worthless object" is generally understood, it can sound dismissive or informal in some contexts. Consider using more neutral or technical terms like "obsolete item" or "non-functional component" in professional or academic writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worthless object" functions as a noun phrase, where "worthless" is an adjective modifying the noun "object". It serves to describe an item lacking value or utility. Ludwig confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "worthless object" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something lacking value or utility. Ludwig AI indicates it is correct and usable in written English. While its frequency is rare, it appears most commonly in news and media. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the context and whether a more specific or technical term might be more appropriate. Alternatives such as "useless item" or "valueless thing" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in emphasis. Ultimately, "worthless object" is a functional phrase for conveying the absence of value.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

useless item

Replaces "worthless" with a synonym, maintaining the core meaning of lacking utility.

valueless thing

Substitutes both words with synonyms, emphasizing the absence of monetary value or importance.

good-for-nothing article

Uses a more idiomatic expression to convey the idea of something completely useless.

unwanted possession

Focuses on the item being undesired, implying a lack of value to the owner.

disposable item

Highlights the item's suitability for disposal due to its low value or utility.

inconsequential trinket

Emphasizes the trivial nature and lack of importance of the object.

deficient commodity

Focuses on the lack of worth of items when related to business.

insignificant item

Stresses the object's lack of significance or importance.

unimportant artifact

Highlights the item's irrelevance and lack of historical or cultural value.

unnecessary belonging

Focuses on the object not being needed, implying a lack of purpose or value.

FAQs

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

You can use "worthless object" to describe something that has no value or utility. For example, "After the flood, the furniture was reduced to a "worthless object"."

What are some alternatives to "worthless object"?

Alternatives include "useless item", "valueless thing", or "insignificant item", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "worthless object" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "worthless object" may sound informal or dismissive in certain formal contexts. Consider more neutral or technical alternatives like "obsolete item" or "non-functional component".

What is the difference between a "worthless object" and a "valuable object"?

A "worthless object" has no monetary or practical value, while a "valuable object" possesses significant worth, either in terms of money, utility, or sentimental meaning.