useless

/ˈjuːsləs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈjuːsləs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈyüs-ləs/ (ame, mw)

useless — adjective

  • uselesspositive
  • more uselesscomparative
  • most uselesssuperlative

1. not having any practical value or function; unable to do the job it is meant to

1.形容詞B1
釋義

not having any practical value or function; unable to do the job it is meant to do, or unable to produce the result that is wanted.

例句

The old map was useless because the roads had been rebuilt since it was printed.

predicative use: describes a thing that no longer works

Megan tried to call for help, but her phone was useless without any signal.

collocation: completely / utterly useless

同義詞
  • worthless

    stronger emotional tone; suggests the thing has no value at all, not just that it fails at a specific task

  • pointless

    focuses on the lack of purpose or effect of an action, rather than the thing itself

  • futile

    formal register; suggests the effort is hopeless and will never succeed

反義詞
  • useful

    the direct opposite; able to be used for a practical purpose

  • effective

    describes something that produces the desired result

文法句型

useless + for + noun/gerund

useless + to + person

常見錯誤

❌The advice was useless for me
✅The advice was useless to me.
💡Use 'to' before a person who receives no benefit; 'for' is used before a purpose or activity.

2. having very little skill or ability in a particular activity — for example, some

2.形容詞B1
釋義

having very little skill or ability in a particular activity — for example, someone who is useless at cooking cannot prepare even a simple meal.

例句

Otis is completely useless at fixing bicycles — he cannot even pump up a tyre.

pattern: useless at + gerund phrase

When it comes to remembering peoples names, Quinn is absolutely useless at parties.

informal register: absolutely useless

同義詞
  • hopeless

    more informal and emotional; suggests the person has no chance of improving

  • incompetent

    more formal and serious; describes a general lack of ability rather than weakness in one area

  • terrible

    very common in spoken English; slightly less strong than 'useless'

反義詞
  • skilled

    describes someone who has strong ability in a particular area

  • talented

    implies natural ability rather than learned skill

文法句型

useless + at + noun/gerund

用法筆記

Commonly followed by 'at' to specify the skill area (e.g., 'useless at sports', 'useless at remembering dates'). Typical in informal conversation; in formal writing, 'not skilled at' or 'inexperienced in' is preferred.

常見錯誤

❌He is useless to cook
✅He is useless at cooking.
💡When describing a person's lack of skill, use 'useless at' + gerund, not 'useless to' + infinitive.