a futile attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a futile attempt' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to imply that someone has made an effort to achieve something, but that the effort was ultimately unsuccessful. For example: Martin tried to fix the broken door, but it was a futile attempt - the damage was too severe.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are speakers and a futile attempt at singing.

The New Yorker

In a futile attempt to avoid detection, these cells always maintained strict communications protocols.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Copeland jumped in a futile attempt to stop another emphatic alley-oop dunk.

The New York Times - Sports

In 1849 Southworth went to California in a futile attempt to find gold.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a futile attempt to revive this sector, the island has ramped up local tax breaks.

The Economist

The chase she describes is a futile attempt to recapture an idyllic moment of her youth.

The New York Times - Arts

This was followed by a futile attempt to dress the night up like any other Thursday.

The New York Times

The Nokia purchase was a futile attempt to compete in smartphones, which Nadella opposed.

The Guardian - Tech

"It's a good debate," he said, in a futile attempt to signal finality.

The New York Times - Magazine

Amnesty International slammed the Philippines' withdrawal as a "futile attempt" to escape international justice.

The Washington Post

A man with a curling beard reaches out, in a futile attempt to catch him.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a futile attempt" to describe situations where the failure of an action is evident even before its completion. This adds emphasis to the certainty of failure.

Common error

While "a futile attempt" is widely accepted, be mindful of overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Consider using synonyms like "an unsuccessful endeavor" or "an ineffectual effort" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a futile attempt" functions as a noun phrase, where "futile" modifies "attempt". It describes an action or endeavor characterized by its ultimate ineffectiveness or hopelessness. Ludwig shows many instances where it is used to describe actions that are doomed to fail, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of its correctness and applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a futile attempt" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes an action doomed to fail. Ludwig, corroborating Ludwig AI's analysis, confirms its widespread use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, writers should consider more formal alternatives in academic or business settings. Remember that understanding the connotations of "a futile attempt" allows for a better understanding of the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fruitless attempt

Replaces "futile" with "fruitless", emphasizing the lack of positive results.

a vain attempt

Substitutes "futile" with "vain", highlighting the ineffectiveness and lack of success.

a pointless attempt

Replaces "futile" with "pointless", stressing the lack of purpose or value in the effort.

a hopeless attempt

Substitutes "futile" with "hopeless", emphasizing the lack of any chance of success.

an unsuccessful attempt

A more direct way of saying something did not work out.

an abortive attempt

Uses "abortive" to indicate an attempt that was cut short or failed to fully develop.

an ineffectual attempt

Replaces "futile" with "ineffectual", highlighting the lack of impact or result.

a doomed attempt

Substitutes "futile" with "doomed", suggesting a predetermined failure.

a failed effort

Replaces "attempt" with the synonym "effort", which suggests an action that didn't achieve the expected results.

a misguided attempt

Suggests the attempt was based on flawed judgment or information, leading to failure.

FAQs

How can I use "a futile attempt" in a sentence?

You can use "a futile attempt" to describe an action that is unlikely to succeed, such as: "His effort to revive the old computer was "a futile attempt"."

What are some alternatives to "a futile attempt"?

Some alternatives include "a fruitless attempt", "a vain attempt", or "a pointless attempt". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a futile attempt" formal or informal?

"A futile attempt" is generally considered neutral and can be used in various contexts, though more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or highly professional writing.

What's the difference between "a futile attempt" and "a brave attempt"?

"A futile attempt" emphasizes the lack of success, while "a brave attempt" highlights the courage or determination in trying, regardless of the outcome. The key difference lies in the focus: failure versus effort.