come to nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'come to nothing' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to mean that something has no positive or successful outcome, or that an effort or action has been wasted. For example: "After months of hard work, his business venture came to nothing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Previous peace efforts have come to nothing.

The Economist

Past promises have come to nothing much.

The Economist

But such attempts have come to nothing.

The Economist

His hopes come to nothing.

The Guardian - Books

It might come to nothing.

The Guardian - Film

All the promises have come to nothing.

The Guardian

My initial worries had come to nothing.

The Guardian - Travel

They have usually come to nothing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet these hints come to nothing.

The Guardian - Books

He gave in, thinking it would come to nothing.

The New York Times

It was an adolescent flirtation that had come to nothing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come to nothing" when you want to emphasize the complete lack of results after an effort or series of actions. It conveys a sense of disappointment or futility.

Common error

Avoid using "come to nothing" for situations where there are minor setbacks but eventual success. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the endeavor ultimately fails entirely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come to nothing" functions as a phrasal verb indicating a lack of success or a failure to achieve a desired outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used to describe efforts that ultimately do not produce the intended results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "come to nothing" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to describe efforts or plans that ultimately fail to produce the desired result. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is primarily used to express disappointment or the futility of an action. Predominantly found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. Alternative phrases such as "be in vain" or "end in failure" can be used to convey similar meanings, depending on the specific nuance desired. Remember to use "come to nothing" when emphasizing the complete lack of results and to avoid it when there are only minor setbacks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

end in failure

Directly states the unsuccessful conclusion.

be in vain

Focuses on the futility of an action or effort.

yield no results

Stresses the lack of any tangible outcome.

fall flat

Emphasizes the lack of success or impact.

prove fruitless

Highlights the absence of positive results after effort.

fail to materialize

Focuses on the non-occurrence of something planned.

be unsuccessful

A more general way of stating a lack of success.

reach a dead end

Indicates progress stopping with no path for continuation.

go down the drain

Suggests a wasteful and irreversible loss.

abort

Highlights the act of stopping an action or process before its completion.

FAQs

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

You can use "come to nothing" to describe efforts or plans that ultimately fail. For example, "Despite his hard work, his business venture "came to nothing"."

What are some alternatives to "come to nothing"?

Alternatives include "be in vain", "fall flat", or "end in failure", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "came to nothing" or "come to nothing"?

Both are correct, but "came to nothing" is the past tense form. Use "came" when referring to something that has already happened, and "come" when speaking in general or hypothetical terms.

What is the difference between "come to nothing" and "prove fruitless"?

"Come to nothing" emphasizes the complete lack of a positive outcome after an endeavor, while "prove fruitless" suggests that efforts, though potentially significant, yielded no desired result.