are in vain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are in vain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate when an effort or attempt has been unsuccessful or useless. For example: "His attempts to make her forgive him were in vain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Such calls are in vain.

The Economist

"It is the right of people to say... these negotiations are in vain," Abbas said.

The Guardian

"You shouldn't think that these years in the hospital are in vain," she said.

The New York Times

The attempts by journalists and anti-Islamic filmmakers to stage a sequel to the Danish cartoon controversy of 2006 are in vain.

The New York Times

Any hopes that it will be for his social reforms (with the exception of equal marriage), or the "big society", are in vain.

The Guardian

"If we continue to break laws and if theft, crime and lies continue to proliferate, then any investments or support through international programs are in vain," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

It was in vain.

The Guardian

"Nothing was in vain.

The New York Times - Sports

This, too, was in vain.

Independent

"Otherwise, this is in vain".

The New Yorker

"All was in vain, all was in vain".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are in vain", ensure the context clearly indicates what efforts or actions are being described as futile. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "are in vain" when the efforts have simply not yet yielded results, rather than being inherently incapable of doing so. Prematurely labeling efforts as futile can discourage persistence and prevent potential success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are in vain" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun by describing its state or condition. It indicates that certain efforts or actions have been unproductive or unsuccessful. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

13%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are in vain" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that efforts or actions have been unproductive or unsuccessful. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is appropriate for use in written English across various contexts. It's most frequently found in news and media, as well as in scientific writing. While alternatives like "prove fruitless" or "come to nothing" exist, "are in vain" provides a clear and direct way to convey futility. The key to using this phrase effectively is ensuring the context is clear about what specific efforts have been unsuccessful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be all for naught

Uses a more dramatic and literary term to express futility.

be to no avail

Employs a slightly more formal and emphatic way of conveying the lack of effect.

prove fruitless

Changes the structure to focus on the action being unproductive rather than the state of being.

be futile

Shortens the phrase to a single adjective, emphasizing the inherent pointlessness.

come to nothing

Shifts the perspective to emphasize the lack of a positive outcome or result.

be unsuccessful

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more straightforward adjective.

be without success

Offers a more literal and less idiomatic alternative.

not bear fruit

Uses a metaphor to convey the idea of not producing desired results.

fail to achieve anything

Highlights the complete absence of accomplishment.

go down the drain

Emphasizes the wasted effort and resources, suggesting a loss.

FAQs

How can I use "are in vain" in a sentence?

You can use "are in vain" to describe efforts that do not produce the intended or desired result. For example, "His attempts to apologize "were in vain" as she refused to listen".

What phrases are similar to "are in vain"?

Similar phrases include "prove fruitless", "come to nothing", and "be to no avail". These alternatives offer different shades of meaning but generally convey a lack of success.

Is it correct to say "was in vain" instead of "are in vain"?

Yes, both "was in vain" and "are in vain" are grammatically correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Was in vain" refers to a past event or effort, while "are in vain" refers to present or general efforts. An example is: "The protests "were in vain"", or "My efforts have "been in vain"".

What's the difference between "are in vain" and "futile"?

"Are in vain" is a phrase that describes actions or efforts, while "futile" is an adjective that describes the inherent quality of something being pointless or ineffective. You might say, "His efforts "are in vain" because the task is futile".