Exercise in futility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Exercise in futility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or effort that is pointless or unlikely to produce any useful result. Example: "Trying to convince him to change his mind was an exercise in futility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is an exercise in futility.

The New York Times - Sports

It is often an exercise in futility.

The New York Times - Style

"Obviously an exercise in futility," she said.

The New York Times

To many biologists, this seemed like an exercise in futility.

Columbia University

It is an exercise in futility," said Kohler-Barnard.

The Guardian

Natasha Fairweather, an agent, calls it "an exercise in futility".

The Guardian

"Therefore to speak is an exercise in futility".

The New York Times

In a loveless marriage it seemed an exercise in futility".

The New Yorker

The game itself was just an exercise in futility.

The New York Times - Sports

This, as our team of experts notes, is an exercise in futility.

The New York Times

Animal rights activists dismissed the event as an exercise in futility.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "exercise in futility" when you want to emphasize that an action is not only ineffective but also a waste of resources and effort. It's stronger than simply saying something is 'difficult'.

Common error

Avoid using "exercise in futility" for tasks that are merely challenging or time-consuming. Reserve it for situations where the outcome is demonstrably impossible or highly unlikely, despite significant effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exercise in futility" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a predicate nominative or a direct object, often following a linking verb like 'is' or 'seems'. It describes a particular activity or attempt. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exercise in futility" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes an action or endeavor that is pointless or unlikely to produce any useful result. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and usable in various contexts, including news, academia, and business. Its frequency is classified as very common, and it serves to express criticism or disapproval. When using this phrase, consider its connotations of wasted effort and ensure it aligns with the intended message. Related phrases such as "futile endeavor" or "pointless effort" can be used as alternatives. Remember, reserve "exercise in futility" for situations where the outcome is demonstrably impossible or highly unlikely, despite significant effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Futile endeavor

Replaces 'exercise' with 'endeavor', emphasizing the attempt aspect while maintaining the sense of pointlessness.

Pointless effort

Substitutes both 'exercise' and 'futility' for simpler terms, highlighting the lack of purpose in the effort.

Useless attempt

Focuses on the ineffectiveness of the attempt, conveying a sense of failure.

Abortive effort

Highlights that the effort was cut short or failed to achieve its goal.

Waste of time

Indicates that the activity consumes time without producing any valuable outcome.

Fruitless activity

Emphasizes the lack of positive results or benefits from the activity.

Idle pursuit

Suggests the activity is aimless and without any real purpose.

Dead end

Implies a situation or action that leads to nowhere, with no possibility of progress.

Lost cause

Indicates that success is impossible and further effort is pointless.

Vain effort

Highlights the lack of success or achievement despite the effort made.

FAQs

What does "Exercise in futility" mean?

The phrase "exercise in futility" refers to an action or endeavor that is pointless and unlikely to produce any useful result or positive outcome. It implies a waste of effort and resources.

How can I use "Exercise in futility" in a sentence?

You can use "exercise in futility" to describe any situation where effort is being expended without achieving a worthwhile result. For example, "Trying to reason with him was an exercise in futility."

What are some alternatives to "Exercise in futility"?

You can use alternatives like "futile endeavor", "pointless effort", or "useless attempt" depending on the specific context.

Is "Exercise in futility" a formal or informal phrase?

"Exercise in futility" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more common in formal writing and speech. Its suitability depends on the overall tone and audience.