useless

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

useless — 形容詞

  • 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

無用的

沒有用途或無法正常運作

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.

這張舊地圖已經沒用了，因為自從印製以來道路全部翻修過。

predicative use: describes a thing that no longer works

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

Megan 想打電話求救，但她的手機沒有訊號，根本沒用。

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

不擅長

完全沒有做某事的能力

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.

Otis 完全不擅長修理腳踏車——他連打氣都不會。

pattern: useless at + gerund phrase

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

說到記人名這件事，Quinn 在派對上完全不行。

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.