comes to nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

"comes to nothing" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It usually means to come to a point of insignificance or to no resolution. For example, "Despite months of debate, the negotiations between the two sides came to nothing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

It comes to nothing.

The Guardian - Sport

Which comes to nothing.

The New York Times

The corner comes to nothing.

The Guardian - Sport

17 min... which comes to nothing.

The Guardian - Sport

A corner, which comes to nothing.

The Guardian - Sport

The set piece comes to nothing, however.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "comes to nothing", ensure the context clearly indicates what effort or plan is being rendered ineffective or without result.

Common error

Avoid using "comes to nothing" when the situation simply needs more time to develop; the phrase is best reserved for situations where failure is definitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comes to nothing" primarily functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a preceding subject's efforts, plans, or actions have failed to achieve a positive outcome. This usage aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "comes to nothing" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that expresses futility or lack of success. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's important to ensure the context warrants the definitive sense of failure the phrase conveys. Consider alternatives like "is all for naught" or "proves fruitless" for nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieves nothing

Directly states the absence of any accomplishment or impact.

doesn't amount to anything

Expresses the idea that something lacks significance or value.

is without success

Emphasizes the lack of a positive outcome or triumph.

is all for naught

Implies a lack of positive result, but uses a more elevated tone.

ends in failure

Focuses on the unsuccessful conclusion of an endeavor.

proves fruitless

Indicates a failure to achieve desired results, especially after effort.

is to no avail

Highlights the ineffectiveness of an action or effort.

is in vain

Highlights the futility of an action or effort.

falls flat

Suggests a disappointing or ineffective result, especially in performance or reception.

is unproductive

Indicates the absence of worthwhile output or progress.

FAQs

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

You can use "comes to nothing" to describe efforts or plans that fail to produce the desired result. For example, "Despite extensive negotiations, their efforts "came to nothing"."

What's a more formal alternative to "comes to nothing"?

A more formal alternative is "proves fruitless" or "is to no avail", which conveys a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.

Is "comes to nothing" negative in connotation?

Yes, "comes to nothing" carries a negative connotation because it indicates a lack of success or a failure to achieve a desired outcome.

What's the difference between "comes to nothing" and "achieves nothing"?

While both phrases indicate a lack of accomplishment, "comes to nothing" often refers to a process or plan that fails, whereas "achieves nothing" can refer to a person's or thing's consistent inability to make an impact.