uselessness
/ˈjuːsləsnəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈjuːsləsnəs/ (ame, ipa)
uselessness — noun
1. the condition of being completely without value, purpose, or practical use; the
the condition of being completely without value, purpose, or practical use; the fact that something cannot do what it needs to do or achieve a useful result.
Camille finally accepted the uselessness of the old map after getting lost three times.
the uselessness of + noun phrase
The government report highlighted the uselessness of the current recycling program in the city.
Quan felt frustrated by the uselessness of the broken printer that nobody would replace.
The uselessness of the emergency plan became clear when the flood arrived without warning.
After two hours, Henry admitted the uselessness of trying to fix the old car.
The spare key turned out to be a study in uselessness because the owner had changed the locks.
A paper umbrella offers total uselessness in a storm this strong.
All of Asher's frustration came from the uselessness of his attempts without the proper tools.
Yuki complained about the uselessness of that gardening website for treating the diseased rose bushes.
The uselessness of the training video frustrated Eli because it skipped the most basic safety steps.
- futility
emphasises that effort is wasted, not just that something has no value
- pointlessness
more informal and suggests the action has no purpose or aim
- worthlessness
stronger moral or emotional weight; often used about people or their contributions
文法句型
the uselessness of [noun phrase]
prove one's uselessness
用法筆記
Often found in the pattern 'the uselessness of something' where the object is a tool, system, plan, or effort that fails to serve its intended purpose. Common with stative verbs like 'accept', 'admit', 'recognize', and 'highlight'. Can be modified by 'complete', 'total', 'utter'.
常見錯誤
2. the quality of being unable to produce a desired result when tried, especially a
the quality of being unable to produce a desired result when tried, especially against a strong force, condition, or opponent.
The old fertiliser demonstrated its uselessness for reviving the dying tomato vines in the garden.
uselessness for + gerund (purpose)
Henry's apology demonstrated the uselessness of words once the damage to their friendship was already done.
The uselessness of the medicine against the new virus strain alarmed the doctors in the village.
Camille grew frustrated at the uselessness of her attempts to open the jar with just a butter knife.
- potency
for medicines or forces
文法句型
the uselessness of [noun] against [force]
[possessive] uselessness for [gerund/noun]
用法筆記
Stronger than 'ineffectiveness'. Often paired with 'against' when describing something that fails to overcome a challenge. Frequently appears with 'medicine', 'apology', 'effort', 'attempt', 'weapon' as the subject in the pattern 'the uselessness of [noun] against [force]'.
常見錯誤
3. the fact or condition of having little or no ability to perform a particular tas
the fact or condition of having little or no ability to perform a particular task; being extremely bad at doing an activity, no matter how much effort is put in.
Tara's constant mistakes made everyone aware of her uselessness at handling customer complaints.
uselessness at + gerund
Sayaka joked about her uselessness at assembling furniture from a flat pack.
Selim tried to hide his uselessness at cooking by ordering takeout every single night.
Imani's uselessness at parallel parking was a running joke among her closest friends.
Piotr's feeling of uselessness at work grew worse after the new accounting software was installed.
Joaquín's uselessness at map reading kept taking the group the wrong way.
Hari admitted his uselessness at changing a punctured tire by the roadside.
Tara's uselessness in the kitchen meant her flatmate always handled the actual cooking.
The new intern's uselessness at filing documents kept mixing up the client folders.
- incompetence
more formal and serious; suggests a permanent lack of skill
- hopelessness
closer in tone but broader in meaning; can also describe situations
文法句型
[possessive] uselessness at [gerund/noun]
[possessive] uselessness in [noun phrase]
feel uselessness
用法筆記
Informal and often self-deprecating or humorous. 'Uselessness at' followed by an activity (gerund or noun) is the most common pattern. 'Feeling of uselessness' describes a person's emotional response to being unable to contribute. Not typically used for serious or life-threatening incompetence — 'incompetence' is more appropriate there.