bore no fruit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bore no fruit" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that an effort or action did not yield any results or success. Example: "Despite their hard work and dedication, the team's efforts to secure funding bore no fruit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

His expedition bore no fruit.

The New Yorker

In the end, Ms. Schelling's efforts bore no fruit.

The New York Times

"There were already tens of meetings like this, and they bore no fruit".

The New York Times

A resounding Almoravid victory over the Aragonese at Fraga (Ifragah) in 1134 bore no fruit, because the Almoravids lacked the resources to exploit it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr Boynton tried arduously to find an NHS dentist who'd remove them by the old-fashioned method, but when that bore no fruit, he removed them in a manner typically reserved for 16th-century pirates or crystal meth addicts on YouTube.

Independent

Greatbatch saw a divine hand in much of what he did.When experiments bore no fruit, he wrote, it was impossible to know whether what looked like failure had not been intended by God as a contribution to success in the future.And he saw invention as an end in itself.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The quarterback position has borne no fruit.

The New York Times - Sports

A flick through An Apology for Idlers bears no fruit.

The Guardian - Arts

OFFSPRING A solitary avocado tree towers over the foot of the garden but, without a mate, bears no fruit.

The New York Times

His promises to clean up Albany politics had borne no fruit and his proposal to give illegal immigrants driving licences had exploded in his face.

The Economist

Seasonings are crucial, with mountain-grown chili peppers combining with ginger, garlic, onions, spices, basil and a host of less familiar flavorings like bishop's weed, which resembles thyme, and false banana powder, which comes from a source that looks like a banana tree but bears no fruit.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bore no fruit" to succinctly convey that an attempt or endeavor did not produce the desired outcome. It's a more evocative way of saying "failed" or "was unsuccessful".

Common error

Avoid using "bore no fruit" when referring to literal fruit-bearing. This phrase is idiomatic and should only be used to describe unsuccessful efforts or actions, not the absence of actual fruit on a plant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bore no fruit" functions as a verb phrase, specifically an idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and indicates it's used to describe the failure of an action to produce a desired outcome. The phrase acts as a predicate, indicating what the subject (e.g., efforts, attempts) did not achieve.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bore no fruit" is a common and grammatically correct idiom used to describe unsuccessful efforts or actions. As verified by Ludwig AI, it effectively conveys the lack of desired results across various contexts, from news and media to encyclopedias. When writing, remember that this phrase is idiomatic and applies to efforts, not literal fruit. Consider using synonyms like "yielded no results" or "came to nothing" for variety. While suitable for both formal and informal writing, be mindful of the context to ensure appropriate tone and style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yielded no results

Focuses on the lack of outcome or consequences from an action.

came to nothing

Emphasizes the complete lack of success or accomplishment.

was in vain

Highlights the uselessness and lack of value in the effort expended.

proved fruitless

Similar to the original phrase, stressing the lack of positive outcome.

achieved nothing

Directly states the absence of any accomplishment.

did not succeed

A simple and straightforward way of expressing failure.

failed to produce results

Highlights the failure to generate any kind of tangible output.

was unproductive

Focuses on the lack of efficiency and output from the effort.

led to a dead end

Emphasizes the lack of progress or advancement.

fell flat

Indicates a lack of impact or success, often in a performance or presentation context.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "bore no fruit"?

The phrase "bore no fruit" means that an effort, attempt, or action did not produce the desired or expected result; it was unsuccessful or ineffective.

How can I use "bore no fruit" in a sentence?

You can use "bore no fruit" to describe situations where efforts failed to achieve their intended outcome. For example: "Despite their negotiations, the peace talks "yielded no results"".

Are there any synonyms for "bore no fruit"?

Yes, several synonyms can replace "bore no fruit", including "proved fruitless", "came to nothing", or "was in vain" depending on the context.

Is "bore no fruit" a formal or informal expression?

"Bore no fruit" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It appears in various types of writing, from news articles to academic papers, and isn't considered overly colloquial or stilted.