a fool's errand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fool's errand" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is a figurative expression used to describe a task or undertaking that is pointless, futile, or bound to fail. Example: "Trying to change my boss's mind about the project was a fool's errand. He's stubborn and set in his ways."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's a fool's errand.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's a fool's errand to buy distressed debt at par".

The New York Times

The private sector realises that's a fool's errand.

The Guardian

It's a fool's errand to make precise predictions about the future.

The New York Times - Science

It's a fool's errand to predict the commercial success of the remake.

The New York Times

It's a fool's errand.

The New York Times

History tells us that's a fool's errand.

TechCrunch

It's a fool's errand, as the record is too clear.

Huffington Post

Don't try to win over those apathetic or hostile to you, because it's a fool's errand.

WikiHow

"From the classic viewpoint of American business, it's probably a fool's errand.

The New York Times

As recently as a year ago, exporting such gas from America looked a fool's errand.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a fool's errand" to concisely convey the futility of an action, avoiding lengthy explanations. For example, instead of saying "Trying to convince him to change his mind is unlikely to succeed and will waste your time", say "Trying to convince him to change his mind is a fool's errand".

Common error

Avoid using "a fool's errand" when describing challenges that, while difficult, have a reasonable chance of success. The phrase implies guaranteed failure, so reserve it for truly hopeless situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fool's errand" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a predicate nominative or a direct object. It describes a task or undertaking, as seen in Ludwig's examples, such as "It's a fool's errand to make precise predictions about the future."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fool's errand" is a common idiomatic phrase used to describe a pointless or futile undertaking. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While its register is generally neutral, it is best suited for informal and semi-formal writing. When using the phrase, ensure the context genuinely implies guaranteed failure, and consider alternatives like ""a futile attempt"" or ""a pointless exercise"" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a futile attempt

Focuses on the lack of success or result, emphasizing the uselessness of the effort.

a pointless exercise

Highlights the lack of purpose or value in the activity.

a lost cause

Emphasizes the hopelessness of achieving a desired outcome.

an exercise in futility

Similar to "a futile attempt" but more formal and emphasizes the inherent lack of success.

a fruitless endeavor

Stresses the lack of positive results or outcomes from the effort.

a vain effort

Highlights the lack of real impact or consequence despite the expended effort.

chasing windmills

Implies pursuing an imaginary or unrealistic goal.

barking up the wrong tree

Suggests misdirecting effort towards an incorrect or unproductive target.

going on a wild goose chase

Refers to a pointless and time-wasting search.

beating a dead horse

Suggests continuing to pursue an issue that is already decided or resolved.

FAQs

How can I use "a fool's errand" in a sentence?

"A fool's errand" is used to describe an action or task that is pointless or sure to fail. For instance, "Trying to find a parking spot downtown during rush hour is "a fool's errand"".

What is a good alternative to "a fool's errand"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a futile attempt", "a pointless exercise", or "a lost cause".

Is "fool's errand" formal or informal?

"Fool's errand" is considered a fairly neutral expression suitable for both informal and semi-formal contexts. However, extremely formal writing may benefit from more precise or literal language.

What's the difference between "a fool's errand" and "a wild goose chase"?

While both describe futile pursuits, ""a fool's errand"" implies the task is inherently pointless or destined to fail from the start. "going on a wild goose chase" suggests the pursuit is misguided or based on false information, leading to a fruitless search.