What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hopelessly
Example
She looked hopelessly at the pile of work on her desk. [hopelessly: adverb]
Example
The team was hopelessly behind in the game and had no chance of winning. [hopelessly: adverb]
uselessly
Example
He tried to fix the broken vase, but his efforts were uselessly futile. [uselessly: adverb]
Example
The old computer was uselessly outdated and could not run any modern software. [uselessly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Uselessly is more commonly used than hopelessly in everyday language. Uselessly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while hopelessly is less common and often used in more emotional or dramatic situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hopelessly and uselessly?
Both hopelessly and uselessly are relatively informal words, although uselessly may be slightly more formal due to its wider range of usage in technical or professional contexts.
