futile attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "futile attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an attempt to do something that fails or turns out to be fruitless. For example: She made a futile attempt to repair the broken radio.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are speakers and a futile attempt at singing.

The New Yorker

In a futile attempt to avoid detection, these cells always maintained strict communications protocols.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Copeland jumped in a futile attempt to stop another emphatic alley-oop dunk.

The New York Times - Sports

In 1849 Southworth went to California in a futile attempt to find gold.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a futile attempt to revive this sector, the island has ramped up local tax breaks.

The Economist

The chase she describes is a futile attempt to recapture an idyllic moment of her youth.

The New York Times - Arts

This was followed by a futile attempt to dress the night up like any other Thursday.

The New York Times

It is the futile attempt of corrupt national leaders to cling to power.

The New York Times

It was an understandable, if futile, attempt to minimize the ramifications of his decision.

The New York Times - Sports

The Nokia purchase was a futile attempt to compete in smartphones, which Nadella opposed.

The Guardian - Tech

"It's a good debate," he said, in a futile attempt to signal finality.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "futile attempt" to describe actions where the likelihood of success is extremely low or nonexistent due to inherent limitations or insurmountable obstacles. It often implies a degree of wasted effort.

Common error

Avoid using "futile attempt" when a simpler word like "failure" or "unsuccessful effort" would suffice. The phrase can sound overly dramatic in contexts where the failure isn't particularly significant or unexpected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "futile attempt" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'futile' modifies the noun 'attempt'. It describes the character of the attempt, indicating its lack of potential for success. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

11%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "futile attempt" is a well-established and grammatically correct way to describe an action that is unlikely to succeed, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's frequently used in news and media, as well as academic contexts. While effective, consider simpler alternatives if the situation does not require such emphasis. When using "futile attempt", ensure it accurately reflects the inherent hopelessness of the action being described. Ludwig's analysis shows that "futile attempt" serves to convey the ineffectiveness of an action or plan.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fruitless endeavor

Emphasizes the lack of positive outcome or result from the effort.

vain effort

Highlights the pride or ego involved in the attempt, which ultimately leads to failure.

abortive effort

Focuses on the premature termination or incompletion of the attempt.

pointless exercise

Stresses the lack of purpose or value in undertaking the action.

ineffectual measure

Highlights the inadequacy or weakness of the action to produce the desired effect.

unavailing effort

Stresses the lack of success or benefit despite the effort exerted.

doomed attempt

Emphasizes the preordained failure of the action from the outset.

miscarriage of effort

Emphasizes the failure of the effort to achieve its intended goal or purpose.

botched attempt

Implies that the attempt failed due to incompetence or mismanagement.

illusory hope

This describes a hope that is unfounded or deceptive, much like a futile attempt. The difference lies in that illusory hope is a noun phrase and a futile attempt is an adjective and noun.

FAQs

How can I use "futile attempt" in a sentence?

You can use "futile attempt" to describe something that has no chance of succeeding, such as: "His attempt to fix the car himself was a "futile attempt" since he lacked the necessary tools and experience."

What are some synonyms for "futile attempt"?

Some synonyms for "futile attempt" include "fruitless endeavor", "vain effort", and "pointless exercise". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "futile attempt" since 'futile' already implies failure?

While 'futile' does imply failure, "futile attempt" is not necessarily redundant. It emphasizes both the action of attempting and the inherent hopelessness of that action. The phrase is well-established in English and provides a clear, emphatic way to express a lack of success.

What is the difference between "futile attempt" and "desperate attempt"?

A "desperate attempt" indicates a willingness to try anything, even if risky, while a "futile attempt" suggests that success is impossible regardless of effort. A desperate attempt might still succeed, but a "futile attempt" is inherently doomed.