unhelpfully
unhelpfully — adverb
1. through actions or words that give no real assistance and often add to the diffi
through actions or words that give no real assistance and often add to the difficulty
Hoa unhelpfully replied that the time was on the calendar but would not point to the entry.
unhelpfully + replied, showing an uncooperative response
When Tariq asked for directions to the station, two passers-by unhelpfully gave completely different answers.
unhelpfully + gave, manner adverb modifying action
The manual was written so unhelpfully that even an expert could not follow it.
Kenji unhelpfully changed the subject whenever his friend asked for honest feedback.
文法句型
unhelpfully + verb phrase
Rather unhelpfully, + clause
用法筆記
Commonly modifies verbs of responding (replied, answered, responded) or informing (explained, described, pointed out). Can also appear at the start of a clause as a sentence adverb: 'Rather unhelpfully, the sign was written in a foreign language.'
unhelpfully — adjective
- unhelpfullypositive
- more unhelpfullycomparative
- most unhelpfullysuperlative
1. describing a person, piece of information, or action that gives no real support
describing a person, piece of information, or action that gives no real support and does not make a problem easier to deal with
William's advice was unhelpful — he told his sister to just relax without any real tips.
be + unhelpful as predicative adjective
Élise found the FAQ page unhelpful because none of the questions matched her case.
completely unhelpful — intensifier collocation
An unhelpful receptionist told Kenji the office had closed and refused to say more.
Owen found the map unhelpful — it showed the city but not the street names.
- useless
broader — can mean ineffective in general, not just unhelpful
- uncooperative
focuses on a person's unwillingness to help rather than the quality of the help
- helpful
direct opposite; offering useful assistance
- supportive
emphasises emotional or practical backing
文法句型
be + unhelpful
unhelpful + noun
用法筆記
Commonly used with intensifiers such as 'completely', 'totally', and 'quite'. Can describe both people (an unhelpful colleague) and things (unhelpful instructions, an unhelpful response).