came to nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

"came to nothing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used in the phrase "came to nothing," meaning that an expected or anticipated result failed to materialize. For example, "My efforts to get into my dream college came to nothing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It came to nothing.

The Economist

Their work came to nothing.

The Economist

Those schemes came to nothing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The alert came to nothing.

Independent

The effort came to nothing.

The Economist

Both came to nothing.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the end, it came to nothing.

Independent

Mr Rabuka's peacemaking came to nothing.

The Economist

The peace initiative came to nothing.

The New York Times

But that meeting came to nothing.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It comes to nothing.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "came to nothing" to concisely express that an effort, plan, or hope did not achieve its intended result. It's effective in conveying a sense of futility or disappointment.

Common error

Avoid overusing "came to nothing" in contexts where a more nuanced description of failure is appropriate. Sometimes, specifying why something failed adds more clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came to nothing" functions as an idiomatic expression, serving as a concise way to describe the failure of a plan, effort, or expectation to produce the desired outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for use in written English. Its primary function is to express futility or lack of success.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Encyclopedias

7%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "came to nothing" is a versatile and frequently used idiom for expressing the failure of plans or efforts to achieve their intended results. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, its grammatical status is correct, and its usage is common across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. Alternatives such as "failed to materialize" or "proved fruitless" offer similar meanings. When employing this phrase, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey and ensure that a more detailed explanation isn't necessary for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was all in vain

Indicates that effort expended did not produce the desired result.

proved fruitless

Emphasizes the lack of a beneficial outcome or result.

failed to materialize

Highlights the non-occurrence of something expected or planned.

fell flat

Suggests a lack of success or impact.

yielded no results

Focuses on the absence of tangible outcomes or consequences.

was unsuccessful

States directly that an attempt did not achieve its goal.

ended in failure

Emphasizes the negative conclusion of an endeavor.

did not succeed

A straightforward way of stating the lack of accomplishment.

was without effect

Highlights the absence of any impact or influence.

went down the drain

Suggests that resources or efforts were wasted.

FAQs

What does "came to nothing" mean?

The phrase "came to nothing" means that an effort, plan, or initiative failed to achieve its intended result or had no successful outcome. It implies a sense of futility or disappointment.

How can I use "came to nothing" in a sentence?

You can use "came to nothing" to indicate that something didn't work out as expected. For example, "Despite months of preparation, their attempt to climb the mountain "came to nothing"".

What are some alternatives to "came to nothing"?

Alternatives to "came to nothing" include "failed to materialize", "proved fruitless", or "was all in vain". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "comes to nothing" instead of "came to nothing"?

Yes, "comes to nothing" is also correct, but it's used in different tenses. "Came to nothing" refers to something that happened in the past, while "comes to nothing" describes a general tendency or a future possibility. For example, "His efforts often "comes to nothing" because he doesn't plan carefully".