does not bear fruit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does not bear fruit" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or action that produces no results. For example: "Despite his best efforts, John's hard work did not bear fruit and he failed to achieve his goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Research in biotechnology is costly and often does not bear fruit for years.

The Economist

If it happens to be accepted, it does not bear fruit in anything that trenches upon legal rights.

Cornell University

Most member states missed the July 2004 deadline for implementing the second liberalisation package, catching up only in the following months.If the second set of directives does not bear fruit, Mr Piebalgs says there will be a third effort.

The Economist

In any event, it goes without saying that le tout Paris is hoping against hope that Mr Druon's vituperative campaign does not bear fruit when the Académie's votes on Mr Giscard's candidacy on December 11.

The Guardian

However the tree does not bear fruit in the subsequent autumn after lopping.

Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice

"If this treatment does not bear fruit the detainee is taken to the far end of the camp where buckets of stone are waiting.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

At the time, policymakers also signaled they may cut rates this year if the stimulus doesn't bear fruit.

Forbes

The manager can spend 15 minutes figuring it out, and if that doesn't bear fruit, he could apologize to the customer for the inconvenience and ask them to come again tomorrow when they've got it all figured out.

TechCrunch

Discussions of political reform did not bear fruit, and Renamo launched a low-level insurgency.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They do not bear fruit, but form their seed tucked into the scales of female cones.

The New York Times

The meeting, like so many before and after it, did not bear fruit.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing efforts that have failed, consider using "does not bear fruit" to add a touch of formality and figurative language, especially in academic or journalistic contexts. For example, "The diplomatic initiatives, unfortunately, did not bear fruit."

Common error

Avoid using "does not bear fruit" when literally referring to a tree or plant that isn't producing fruit; the phrase is generally reserved for figurative use to describe unsuccessful endeavors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not bear fruit" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of positive outcome or result. It's used to describe situations where efforts or actions fail to produce the intended or expected consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "does not bear fruit" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the lack of success or positive outcomes from an effort or endeavor. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's frequently found in news, academic and scientific contexts, with a neutral to formal register. While several alternative phrases exist, "does not bear fruit" provides a specific nuance of figurative language, often implying disappointment that investments didn't pay off.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yields no results

Replaces "bear fruit" with a more direct synonym for producing an outcome.

is unproductive

Uses an adjective to describe the state of not producing anything worthwhile.

proves futile

Emphasizes the pointlessness of the effort; implies wasted effort.

comes to nothing

Indicates a complete lack of success or progress.

fails to deliver

Highlights the failure to meet expectations or produce promised results.

does not succeed

A simple and direct way of stating a lack of success.

is in vain

Implies that the effort was ultimately pointless and without value.

does not pay off

Suggests that the effort invested did not provide the expected return or benefit.

remains unrealized

Focuses on the fact that the potential or goal was never achieved.

is all for naught

Expresses that everything was done without any result or advantage.

FAQs

What does "does not bear fruit" mean?

The phrase "does not bear fruit" means that something does not produce the desired results or outcomes. It's often used figuratively to describe efforts, plans, or strategies that fail to achieve their intended goals.

How can I use "does not bear fruit" in a sentence?

You can use "does not bear fruit" to describe situations where efforts or actions have not yielded the desired results. For example, "Despite numerous attempts, the negotiations "did not bear fruit"."

Which is correct, "does not bear fruit" or "did not bore fruit"?

"Does not bear fruit" is the correct and standard expression. "Bore" is the past tense of "bear" but is not appropriate in this idiomatic phrase. The intended meaning is that something is not currently producing results, not that it failed to produce results in the past (although it can refer to a past action, the correct form is still "did not bear fruit").

What are some alternatives to "does not bear fruit"?

Some alternatives to "does not bear fruit" include "yields no results", "is unproductive", or "proves futile". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.