ended in vain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ended in vain" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation that yielded no success or tangible outcome. For example: His attempt to start a new business venture ended in vain when he was unable to get the necessary funding.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"He didn't tell me this, but I just believe he will not want his son's life to have ended in vain.

The New York Times

Glasgow, who won the home tie 20-16 in October, were content to run the clock down in the final stages as Exeter's hopes of securing more than a losing bonus point ended in vain.

BBC

His investigation ended in vain.

Vice

His continued effort ended in vain as Rasus arrives in a hidden army concentration camp just as Srintil is taken away by the army and disappear along with the rest of Dukuh Paruk's residents.

Wikipedia

That is why I decided to quit.(Informant 10, man) Other men described how they struggled to sell the idea of the trial to their families, but all efforts ended in vain.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

That is why I would appeal to all England-born Asian players to try their utmost to play for England, and only consider playing for India or Pakistan if their efforts end in vain.

The Guardian - Opinion

The last 20 years have passed, with several rounds of negotiations ending in vain.

BBC

If what they've shared is true, it seems that the project as a whole began — and will likely end — in vain.

TechCrunch

That all these searches for truth and meaning will likely end in vain doesn't make them any less fascinating.

Huffington Post

You know, any work without a written record may end in vain.

Human Resources for Health

How did Linfeng not explode after his repeated slams ended up in vain?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ended in vain" to emphasize the lack of tangible or positive results after a period of effort or activity. This phrase is effective when highlighting the futility of a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "ended in vain" in very informal or casual contexts. While grammatically correct, it carries a slightly more formal tone that may sound out of place in everyday conversation. Consider alternatives like "didn't work out" or "was all for nothing" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ended in vain" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that an action, effort, or process concluded without achieving its intended purpose or desired outcome. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ended in vain" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, albeit relatively rare in occurrence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe situations where efforts or actions conclude without achieving the desired outcome. Its tone is generally neutral, finding usage in news reporting, scientific literature, and encyclopedic entries. When writing, using "ended in vain" is most appropriate in formal or professional communication. Consider context when choosing it versus more casual synonyms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

came to nothing

Emphasizes the lack of tangible results after effort.

proved fruitless

Highlights the absence of desired outcomes despite effort.

was all for naught

Underscores the worthlessness of the effort expended.

turned out to be futile

Highlights the ultimate uselessness of the attempt.

failed to achieve its purpose

Directly states the lack of accomplishment of a specific goal.

did not bear fruit

Uses a metaphor to express the lack of positive results.

was without success

Simply indicates a lack of positive result.

resulted in failure

Focuses on the negative outcome of a process.

accomplished nothing

Emphasizes the absence of any achievement or progress.

was a lost cause

Suggests the effort was doomed from the beginning.

FAQs

How can I use "ended in vain" in a sentence?

You can use "ended in vain" to describe an attempt or effort that did not produce the desired result. For example, "His attempt to negotiate a peaceful resolution "ended in vain"."

What are some alternatives to saying "ended in vain"?

Alternatives include "came to nothing", "proved fruitless", or "was all for naught", each conveying a similar sense of futility.

Is "ended in vain" a formal expression?

Yes, "ended in vain" is considered a somewhat formal expression. In more casual contexts, phrases like "didn't work out" or "was all for nothing" might be more appropriate.

What does it mean when something "ends in vain"?

When something "ends in vain", it means that it concludes without achieving any positive or intended result. It implies that the effort or attempt was ultimately unsuccessful and without value.