Words / B2

ben-i-FISHL/ˌbenɪˈfɪʃl/

Beneficial means it has a good effect — more formal than good for you or helpful. Typical patterns are beneficial to health / beneficial for students. Useful is about practical help; beneficial stresses a positive outcome, often in reports and health writing. Benefit is the noun (a benefit of sleep); do not write “beneficial for to.”

Meaning

Having a good effect; helpful.

Examples

• “A short walk is beneficial after sitting all day.”
• “Regular feedback is beneficial to new writers.”
• “The change was beneficial for small shops, not for chains.”

Good to know

beneficial to / for. Formal for helpful. Noun: benefit.

Near in meaning

helpful

New