Useful vs. Informative — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 24, 2024
Useful implies practical applicability and benefit, while informative denotes providing valuable or insightful information.
Difference Between Useful and Informative
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Something that is useful directly aids in accomplishing a task or solving a problem, enhancing efficiency or effectiveness. On the other hand, something that is informative may not directly aid in practical tasks but enriches one's knowledge or understanding on a subject.
Useful tools or information are often valued for their immediate utility in practical scenarios, such as a how-to guide for software installation. Whereas informative content, like a detailed history of software, broadens understanding without immediate application.
In education, a useful lesson plans directly towards achieving curriculum goals with practical exercises. Conversely, an informative lesson might delve into background information that provides depth but is not aimed at immediate practical outcomes.
In technology, a useful app might help users manage their daily tasks or automate processes, providing tangible benefits. In contrast, an informative app could offer news updates or tutorials, which contribute to user knowledge but might not have direct practical use.
When seeking to improve skills, a useful guide is often sought for its step-by-step instructions that can be directly applied. Informative guides, while they also enhance skills, do so by providing comprehensive insights that shape broader understanding rather than immediate application.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Function
Aids in performing tasks
Provides knowledge or insights
Application
Practical, direct application
Educational, sometimes indirect
Value in Daily Life
High for immediate needs
High for long-term understanding
Typical Examples
Tools, apps, tips
Books, documentaries, lectures
Desired Outcome
Completion of tasks, problem solving
Increased understanding, awareness
Compare with Definitions
Useful
Making it easier or possible to do something.
A calendar app is useful for managing schedules effectively.
Informative
Containing information that enlightens or educates.
The teacher's feedback on essays is always informative.
Useful
Functionally practical and not just theoretical.
Practical examples in a lesson are useful for real-life application.
Informative
Contributing to one's knowledge or understanding.
The documentary about ancient Egypt was highly informative.
Useful
Especially of value in a particular context.
The article was useful for understanding the basics of coding.
Informative
Enhancing one's understanding of a topic.
Informative articles on the web help spread knowledge globally.
Useful
Being of use or service; providing help.
Finding a useful tutorial online can save a lot of time.
Informative
Designed or intended to teach or provide information.
The seminar on financial health was informative for all attendees.
Useful
Serving a practical purpose or in some way beneficial.
A Swiss Army knife is useful for camping due to its multiple functions.
Informative
Providing a lot of useful information.
The museum tour was informative and engaging.
Useful
Able to be used for a practical purpose or in several ways
Aspirins are useful for headaches
Informative
Informative is anything that further educates someone e.x.
Useful
Having a beneficial use; serviceable
A useful kitchen gadget.
Informative
Serving to inform; providing or disclosing information; instructive.
Useful
Being of practical use
A useful job.
Useful members of society.
Informative
Providing information; especially, providing useful or interesting information.
I read a very informative newspaper article on that subject last week.
Useful
Having a practical or beneficial use.
Informative
(in standards and specifications) Not specifying requirements, but merely providing information.
Useful
Full of use, advantage, or profit; producing, or having power to produce, good; serviceable for any end or object; helpful toward advancing any purpose; beneficial; profitable; advantageous; as, vessels and instruments useful in a family; books useful for improvement; useful knowledge; useful arts.
To what can I useful!
Informative
(obsolete) Formative; having power to form.
Useful
Being of use or service;
The girl felt motherly and useful
A useful job
A useful member of society
Informative
Having power to inform, animate, or vivify.
Useful
Of great importance or use or service;
Useful information
Valuable advice
Informative
Tending to increase knowledge or dissipate ignorance;
An enlightening glimpse of government in action
Useful
Capable of being turned to use or account;
Useful applications of calculus
Informative
Serving to instruct of enlighten or inform
Useful
Having a useful function;
Utilitarian steel tables
Informative
Providing or conveying information
Common Curiosities
What is the primary goal of informative content?
The primary goal of informative content is to educate and broaden the knowledge of its audience.
How can information be considered informative?
Information is considered informative if it significantly adds to one’s understanding or knowledge.
Can something be both useful and informative?
Yes, many tools and resources can be both practical in use and enriching in the information they provide.
Why is it important for something to be useful?
Being useful is important because it ensures relevance and applicability in real-life scenarios.
What makes something useful?
Something is useful if it serves a practical function or assists in completing tasks more efficiently.
How does useful content impact daily life?
Useful content impacts daily life by providing immediate solutions and aids in everyday tasks.
Can informative information be non-useful?
Yes, informative information can sometimes lack practical application, making it non-useful in certain contexts.
How do you determine if a tool or resource is useful?
A tool or resource is considered useful if it effectively aids in achieving a specific objective efficiently.
What role does informative content play in learning?
Informative content plays a crucial role in learning by providing the foundational or in-depth knowledge necessary for understanding complex subjects.
Can useful information be uninformative?
Yes, if the information is solely focused on task completion without broadening understanding, it can be uninformative.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
