What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hopeless
Example
After failing the test multiple times, he felt hopeless about passing it. [hopeless: adjective]
Example
She had a hopeless attitude towards her job and didn't believe she could improve. [hopeless: adjective]
Example
The team's performance was hopeless, and they lost the game by a large margin. [hopeless: adjective]
useless
Example
This old computer is useless and can't run any modern software. [useless: adjective]
Example
He was useless at fixing cars and always made the problem worse. [useless: adjective]
Example
The instructions were so confusing that they were useless in helping me assemble the furniture. [useless: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Useless is more commonly used than hopeless in everyday language. Useless is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while hopeless is less common and often used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hopeless and useless?
Both hopeless and useless are informal words that are suitable for casual conversations or writing. However, useless can be used in more formal contexts, such as academic or technical writing, while hopeless is less appropriate in such settings.
