"useful for" vs "useful to"

Question

"useful for" vs "useful to"

Both 'useful for' and 'useful to' are correct and commonly used in English, but they are used in different contexts. 'Useful for' is used when talking about the purpose or benefit of something, while 'useful to' is used when referring to the person or entity that benefits from something.

Last Updated: March 28, 2024

Use 'useful for' when you want to talk about the purpose or benefit of something. For example, 'This tool is useful for fixing small electronics.'

Examples:

This app is useful for learning new languages.
The manual is useful for troubleshooting common issues.
The new software is useful for increasing productivity.
The flashlight is useful for camping trips.
The internet is useful for finding information quickly.

Alternatives:

beneficial for
helpful for
good for
effective for
suitable for

Use 'useful to' when you want to talk about the person or entity that benefits from something. For example, 'This information is useful to students.'

Examples:

The new software is useful to the marketing team.
The guidebook is useful to travelers.
The advice was useful to me.
The feedback was useful to the development team.
The resources are useful to the community.

Alternatives:

beneficial to
helpful to
good for
effective for
suitable for

Answer 1

useful for

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to the purpose or benefit of something.

Answer 2

useful to

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to the person or entity that benefits from something.

"useful for" vs "useful to"

useful for

useful to

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