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Topic: Useful |
24 July 2003 |
The word useful is a common word used among Thai students.
When they want to give a positive side of something or someone.
They say that it is useful. Whatever that means.
To a Thai speaker, the word and the concept of the word are clear.
However, in English, the word does not fit in many contexts.
Useful means
full of uses or having practical values.
If something is useful, you can use it for many things.
For example:
The new tools are very useful in construction. It makes drilling easier.
This is a very useful book. It provides good guidelines in writing.
The secretary gave useful information about the company.
Useful can mean good or helpful.
For example:
Bill is useful in an office.
Bill is helpful. A person can be both useless and helpless.
However, we dont use useful in the following context (though Thai students tend to).
For example:
Vegetables are useful. WRONG
Vegetables are nutritious or healthful.
Having a mobile phone is useful. WRONG
Having a mobile phone is convenient or beneficial.
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Exercise: Useful |
| Directions: Decide if each of the following sentences uses useful correctly. If not, correct them. |
 1.You might find a small notebook useful if you are forgetful. |
| 2.A spoon is more useful than chopsticks when eating rice. |
| 3.The Worst Case-Scenario Survival Book can be useful if you happen to be in such rare occasions as mentioned in the book. |
| 4.Hobbies make your time useful. |
| 5.You should spend your time usefully. Do not be lazy. |
| 6.I would like to buy something useful as your wedding present. |
| 7.Having an Internet access is useful. |
| 8.Your garden space is useful. Children can play there, or we can have parties there. |
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Answers |
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