contend fruitlessly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contend fruitlessly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is struggling or fighting for something but achieving no success. Example: "Despite their efforts to negotiate a better deal, they found themselves contending fruitlessly against the company's rigid policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are too many rancors — hatred of life, hatred of others, hatred of their means to happiness — to contend with here, and the loveliness of the verse beats fruitlessly against them, as if against a wharf.

The New Yorker

Can they contend?

The New York Times

There were greater things to contend with.

The New York Times - Arts

But critics contend more must be done.

Independent

"You have to contend with it.

The New York Times

Neo-leftists contend with free-market capitalists.

The Economist

The Marlins can contend without Pujols.

The New York Times - Sports

Somalia, they contend, is finally turning around.

The New York Times

Some contend that transparency has natural limits.

The Economist

Such rules are unfair, they contend.

The New York Times

Then, there were fiefdoms to contend with.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contend fruitlessly" when you want to emphasize both the struggle and the lack of positive outcome. It adds a layer of nuanced meaning compared to simply stating a failure.

Common error

Avoid using "contend fruitlessly" in casual or informal writing. Its formal tone might sound unnatural or pretentious in everyday conversation or informal communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contend fruitlessly" functions as an adverbial modifier, adding detail to a verb by describing how an action is performed. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. The adverb "fruitlessly" modifies the verb "contend", indicating that the action of contending is carried out without success.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contend fruitlessly" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to describe a struggle or effort that yields no positive results. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is valid in English, and while it appears in various contexts, it's relatively rare. It is more suited for neutral to formal writing and offers a nuanced way to emphasize the futility of an action. Consider using alternatives like "struggle in vain" or "fight without success" for broader appeal, but leverage the specificity of "contend fruitlessly" when precise expression is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struggle in vain

Emphasizes the futility of the struggle, highlighting the lack of any positive result.

contend without effect

Similar to the original phrase, but replaces "fruitlessly" with "without effect."

fight without success

Directly states the absence of a successful outcome despite the effort.

labor in vain

Highlights the effort and toil involved, alluding to the lack of worthwhile results.

try unsuccessfully

A more general term indicating an attempt that did not achieve its goal.

make futile efforts

Emphasizes the pointlessness and ineffectiveness of the actions taken.

strive with no result

Focuses on the lack of any tangible outcome from the striving.

battle hopelessly

Highlights the lack of hope for a positive outcome in the struggle.

endeavor unprofitably

Stresses that the efforts yielded no gain or advantage.

struggle abortively

Implies that the struggle was cut short or failed to reach completion, yielding no result.

FAQs

What does "contend fruitlessly" mean?

It means to struggle or fight for something without achieving any success or positive result. It emphasizes the futility of the effort.

What can I say instead of "contend fruitlessly"?

You can use alternatives like "struggle in vain", "fight without success", or "labor in vain" depending on the context.

Is "contend fruitlessly" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "contend fruitlessly" is not a very common phrase. Alternatives might be more readily understood.

How can I use "contend fruitlessly" in a sentence?

Example: "Despite their efforts to negotiate a better deal, they found themselves contending fruitlessly against the company's rigid policies."