considered futile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "considered futile" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions, efforts, or attempts that are deemed ineffective or pointless. Example: "Despite their best efforts, the team's attempts to resolve the issue were ultimately considered futile."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Without considering these factors, powerful treatment concepts may be considered futile, when in fact the cause of futility may lie elsewhere.

Critical Care

As recently as 1978 such a task was considered futile.

The Economist

This is the first war that so many Army men have considered futile or wrong.

The New Yorker

A "do not resuscitate" order can be put in place by doctors, but only in the absence of identified surrogates and only if resuscitation is considered futile.

The New York Times - Health

Researchers studying critical care in four intensive care units at large medical centers report that almost 11 percent of patients received care that their doctors considered futile.

The New York Times

Treating a baby can be considered futile if the child is expected to die or be born with severe health problems.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

And so the Mets will lumber into late summer, foraging for every last victory their flawed roster can find, in an exercise some skeptical outsiders might consider futile.

The New York Times

That is why a large number of families demand what we consider futile life support for patients who clearly cannot benefit from it.

Critical Care

I would first attempt to delineate what the parents might consider futile care for their child and to define for them what therapies are within acceptable limits for the health care team.

Critical Care

"It is a sad day in America when we can't find a senator to sign this objection," said Representative Jesse L. Jackson Jr., Democrat of Illinois, as he stared at the rows of senators, including Democrats who considered it futile and divisive to keep up the election battle.

The New York Times

Some of the procedures we performed may even be considered as futile according to recommendations suggesting not to realize thoracotomy in case of blunt chest trauma or cardiopulmonary resuscitation lasting more than 10 min without returning to circulatory activity [2].

Annals of Intensive Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "considered futile" to describe situations where further effort is unlikely to yield positive results, especially in medical or strategic contexts. This implies a judgment based on available evidence.

Common error

While "considered futile" is correct, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "pointless" or "useless" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "considered futile" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something judged as ineffective or pointless. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "considered futile" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe actions or endeavors judged to be ineffective or pointless. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it frequently appears in scientific and news contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When writing, it's important to ensure that the phrase aligns with the overall tone and context, opting for simpler alternatives in casual settings. Related phrases like "deemed pointless" or "seen as ineffective" can offer stylistic variations while maintaining the core meaning. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deemed pointless

Replaces "considered futile" with a more direct and less formal term.

seen as ineffective

Emphasizes the lack of desired outcome or impact.

regarded as unproductive

Highlights the absence of positive results or advancement.

believed to be in vain

Adds a sense of disappointment or wasted effort.

thought to be fruitless

Conveys a lack of yield or beneficial outcome.

judged to be unavailing

A more formal way of saying that something is ineffective.

recognized as hopeless

Suggests a complete absence of possibility for success.

perceived as a lost cause

Implies that the situation is beyond recovery or redemption.

assumed to be without merit

Highlights the lack of value or worth in pursuing the action.

estimated to be worthless

Indicates that the effort or resource has no practical use or value.

FAQs

How to use "considered futile" in a sentence?

You can use "considered futile" to describe actions or treatments that are deemed unlikely to succeed. For example, "The rescue mission was "considered futile" due to the harsh weather conditions" or "Further treatment was "considered futile" given the patient's condition".

What can I say instead of "considered futile"?

You can use alternatives like "deemed pointless", "seen as ineffective", or "regarded as unproductive" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. These options offer similar meanings while varying in formality and emphasis.

Which is correct, "considered futile" or "deemed as futile"?

"Considered futile" is more concise and commonly used. "Deemed as futile" is grammatically acceptable but can sound redundant. It's generally better to stick with "considered futile" for clearer communication.

Is "considered futile" a formal or informal expression?

"Considered futile" leans towards a more formal register, often found in professional or academic writing. In casual conversation, simpler terms like "pointless" or "useless" might be more suitable.