1
general::
adj. VERBS be, look, prove, seem | become | make yourself She told Fred to make himself useful. | consider sth, find sth some leaflets which you might find useful ADV. enormously, especially, exceptionally, extremely, genuinely, highly, more than (informal), particularly, really, tremendously, very making an exceptionally useful contribution to the debate In all departments, Leeds looked a more than useful side (= they played very well). | fairly, pretty, quite | equally The same information is equally useful when negotiating. | generally, universally This method has proved the most generally useful. | potentially | practically The subject is practically useful and will stand you in good stead when looking for a job. | undoubtedly an undoubtedly useful skill | socially to provide rewarding and socially useful employment PREP. as useful as a short-term measure | for useful for a variety of purposes useful for people who need a short break | in She was very useful in dealing with foreign visitors. | to information which will be useful to new mothers
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
2
general::
useful
something that is useful makes it easier for you to do something:
• He gave me some useful advice. • a useful thing to know
handy
informal useful – used especially about something that is convenient and easy to use:
• a handy little booklet • The book is full of handy hints. • I always keep old jars – you never know when they might come in handy (= be useful ) .
helpful
useful because it helps you to do something:
• This drug can be helpful in treating depression. • helpful advice • helpful suggestions
of use
[ not before noun ] if someone or something is of use, they are useful for you when you are doing something:
• I hope you’ll find the book of use. • He wants to be of use.
worthwhile
if doing something is worthwhile, it is useful for you and you benefit from doing it:
• The training was certainly worthwhile. • a worthwhile experience • It is worthwhile to start by asking ourselves why people get involved in crime.
very useful
valuable
very useful in helping you do something:
• His information was very valuable to the police. • The course was a valuable experience for me. • a valuable contribution
invaluable
extremely useful in helping you do something:
• His help was invaluable. • The drug could be invaluable for treating cancer patients. • an invaluable experience
indispensable
someone or something that is indispensable is so useful and important that you cannot do something without them:
• For walkers, a good compass is indispensable. • He became an indispensable part of the team. • an indispensable guide to travelling in Italy
be great for something
informal to be very useful for doing something:
• The bag is great for taking on holiday.
Longman-Thesaurus
3
general::
useful
nouns
useful information/advice
• She gave me some useful advice.
a useful tip
• Their website has some useful tips on selling your home.
a useful way of doing something
• Keeping lists of the words you learn is a useful way of remembering vocabulary.
a useful tool
• The Internet is a useful tool for investors.
a useful contribution
• He played well and made a useful contribution to the team’s performance.
verbs
find something useful
• Did you find the book useful?
prove useful
formal (= be useful )
• This equipment could prove useful in testing babies’ hearing.
phrases
it is useful to do something
• It is useful to practise in front of an audience.
come in useful
(= be useful )
• The extra income would come in useful.
make yourself useful
(= be helpful )
• Don’t just stand there – make yourself useful!
serve a useful purpose/function
(= be useful )
• Sending her to prison would serve no useful purpose.
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