futile

USAGE SUMMARY

"futile" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as an adjective to describe something as being pointless and having no result. For example, you could say "It seems that all of my efforts to fix the problem were futile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

5) Antonio Cassano's swerving 30-yard strike against Fiorentina was as glorious as it was futile.

The Guardian - Sport

An insufficient number of police were deployed to Mare Street and Clarence Road, offering futile attempts to contain the anger of a vast number of youths, the source of which remains unknown.

The Guardian - Opinion

But their search for stability was still futile.

The Guardian - Sport

In the 70s it was said the politics of envy was futile, as sharing out the pelf of the rich yielded too little to be worth the fight.

The Guardian - Opinion

When Toronto last beat the Red Bulls in 2009, Defoe was only a few months into his second spell at Tottenham alongside fellow returnee Robbie Keane, the Canadian team's star player was Dwayne De Rosario, and New York were in the middle of the type of futile season later editions of the Toronto team would repeatedly specialize in.

The Guardian - Sport

Scientists are notoriously bad at disclosing the truth, but, in its futile quest for a hidden agenda that is not there, the press is missing much of the point.

The Guardian

This was thrilling news indeed as the clear inference is that there are other prehistoric creatures on the grand prix circuit who use their weirdly foreshortened front legs for swatting away pterodactyls and making futile attempts to grab up lithe and bronzed young cave-chicks clad in sloth fur bikinis.

The Guardian - Sport

That logic is at its most naked and futile in the treatment of disabled people.

The Guardian - Opinion

While Rome is Federer's "losingest" tournament, with 15 ducks from 15 innings (and three futile finals), in dismissing the skittish Czech for the 14th time he confirmed he is in excellent fettle.

The Guardian - Sport

He led a futile 2011 fight to scale back the Patriot Act and famously spoke for 13 straight hours on the Senate floor in March to protest the Obama administration's drone strikes on American citizens.

The Guardian

My futile attempts were punctuated by the screams of the patient in the next bed and by the mischief of the lady opposite, who kept coming over to steal my equipment.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "futile", consider emphasizing the contrast between the effort expended and the lack of results to highlight the sense of wasted energy or resources.

Common error

Avoid using "futile" when the situation simply indicates a temporary setback or a minor lack of success. "Futile" suggests a deeper sense of hopelessness and ultimate failure, not just a temporary obstacle.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "futile" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something incapable of producing any useful result; useless, or not successful. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "futile" is a versatile adjective used to describe efforts or actions that are incapable of producing results and are essentially useless. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. It conveys a sense of hopelessness and ultimate failure, distinguishing it from terms like "ineffective" which may suggest a possibility for improvement. When considering related phrases like "pointless" or "useless", "futile" underscores a more profound sense of wasted effort and lack of potential. Remembering this distinction can guide writers in choosing the most appropriate adjective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Pointless

Emphasizes the lack of purpose or value in undertaking a certain action.

Useless

Focuses on the lack of practical value or ability to serve a purpose.

Vain

Highlights the lack of success despite effort or hope.

Ineffective

Directly addresses the inability to produce the desired result.

Unavailing

Suggests that efforts made were ultimately unsuccessful or without benefit.

Fruitless

Implies a lack of positive outcome or tangible results from an action.

Abortive

Describes something that failed to come to completion or fruition.

Of no avail

Indicates that an attempt or action was unsuccessful and did not achieve the intended purpose.

To no purpose

Emphasizes that the action undertaken had no meaningful result or outcome.

Worthless

Indicates a complete absence of value or usefulness.

FAQs

How to use "futile" in a sentence?

You can use "futile" to describe attempts or actions that are incapable of producing any useful result. For example, "Their efforts to revive the business were futile." It's often used when the effort seems doomed to failure from the beginning.

What can I say instead of "futile"?

You can use alternatives like "pointless", "useless", or "vain" depending on the specific context. Each carries a slightly different connotation regarding the lack of success or purpose.

Which is correct, "futile attempt" or "futile effort"?

Both "futile attempt" and "futile effort" are correct and commonly used. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the specific act of trying (attempt) or the overall expenditure of energy and resources (effort).

What's the difference between "futile" and "ineffective"?

"Futile" implies a complete lack of any positive result and often suggests the endeavor was hopeless from the start. "Ineffective" means not producing the desired effect but doesn't necessarily suggest the same level of hopelessness or lack of potential. Something ineffective might still be improved, while something "futile" is often beyond redemption.