a futile undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a futile undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort or task that is pointless or unlikely to succeed. Example: "Despite their best efforts, the project turned out to be a futile undertaking, as they faced insurmountable obstacles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And it remains a futile undertaking, in his view, because of the efforts to support markets, especially in bonds, around the world.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The point is that nothing would be sufficient to prove that the parameters we find are actually those that drove the biological process, so pushing the similarity of the networks further is a somewhat futile undertaking.

Biology Direct

Less credible and entirely unsubstantiated is Mr. Booth's remarkable claim that the downing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988 can be blamed on covert C.I.A. drug shipments, undertaken in a futile effort, Mr. Booth asserts, to gain influence over Middle East terrorist organizations holding Americans hostage in Lebanon.

The New York Times - Books

It was a futile hope.

The New Yorker

A futile request.

The Guardian - Sport

It was a futile endeavor.

The New York Times - Sports

He found himself doing a futile job.

The New York Times

It's a futile kind of togetherness.

The New Yorker

The other is a futile, childish hope.

Harvard University

This is a futile hope.

The Guardian - Sport

It is a futile hope.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a futile undertaking" when you want to emphasize the inherent lack of value or potential success in an endeavor, rather than just its difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "a futile undertaking" when you simply mean something is challenging. "Futile" implies a guaranteed lack of positive outcome, not just a high degree of difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a futile undertaking" functions as a noun phrase, where "futile" is an adjective modifying the noun "undertaking". It describes the nature of the undertaking, indicating its lack of purpose or potential for success. Ludwig confirms that this is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a futile undertaking" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe an effort that is pointless or doomed to fail. Ludwig AI validates this and presents examples spanning from News & Media to Science and Academia. While alternatives like "a pointless exercise" or "a vain attempt" exist, it's crucial to distinguish "futile" from merely "difficult", emphasizing the impossibility of success. When using the phrase, ensure the endeavor is truly without hope, not just challenging. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase carries a strong connotation of ultimate failure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an exercise in futility

Highlights the overall uselessness and lack of productivity.

a pointless exercise

Focuses on the lack of purpose or value in the activity.

a fruitless endeavor

Highlights the lack of positive outcome or result.

a vain attempt

Emphasizes the pride or arrogance associated with the unsuccessful effort.

a hopeless case

Stresses the lack of any chance of success or improvement.

a lost cause

Indicates that the effort is doomed to fail and not worth pursuing.

a bootless errand

Emphasizes the uselessness of the mission.

a wild goose chase

Suggests a search that is both pointless and time-wasting.

an abortive effort

Highlights the lack of any chance of success or improvement.

an unproductive activity

Highlights the inefficiency of an action.

FAQs

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

Use "a futile undertaking" to describe an effort that is pointless or certain to fail. For example, "Trying to convince him to change his mind was "a futile undertaking"."

What's a good alternative to "a futile undertaking"?

Alternatives include "a pointless exercise", "a fruitless endeavor", or "a vain attempt" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a futile undertaking" in formal writing?

Yes, "a futile undertaking" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to describe an action that will not achieve its intended purpose.

What distinguishes "a futile undertaking" from "a difficult task"?

"A difficult task" implies a challenge that can potentially be overcome with effort. "A futile undertaking", on the other hand, suggests that success is impossible regardless of the effort applied. The task is inherently pointless.