futile exercise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'futile exercise' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an effort that has been attempted but is doomed to failure, or something that has been done repeatedly but has not achieved the desired result. For example: "Trying to reason with him was a futile exercise - he was adamant that he was right."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Want to know the most futile exercise in sports?

The New York Times

It does serve as a handy critical summation of Ms. Howe's futile exercise in absurdism.

The New York Times

This was a futile exercise until the 9/11 attacks, when everything changed.

The Guardian

It may be a futile exercise, as even his lawyers come close to admitting.

The New York Times

This futile exercise convinced me that the Rubenesque is, on the contrary, a force of will.

The New Yorker

Conversationally, hoping for measured comments from the internet is a futile exercise.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

That set up a power play, which at first looked like a futile exercise.

The New York Times - Sports

Keynes called it 'pushing on a string', i.e. a futile exercise.

The Economist

Some local business experts, however, said they thought the session was a futile exercise.

The New York Times

Opening a small business is a frustrating, expensive and frequently futile exercise.

The Economist

It is a dangerous and possibly futile exercise to extrapolate broad meaning from singular events, and Carrère understands that.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the nuance of "futile exercise". It's stronger than simply 'difficult', implying an inherent impossibility of success.

Common error

While versatile, avoid overusing "futile exercise" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise terms like 'unproductive endeavor' or 'ineffectual method' to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "futile exercise" functions as a noun phrase, where 'futile' modifies the noun 'exercise'. It acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "futile exercise" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe actions or endeavors that are unlikely to produce positive results. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While versatile, it's important to consider the formality of the writing context, opting for more precise alternatives like "unproductive endeavor" or "ineffectual method" in highly formal settings. To prevent possible ambiguity, it is recommended to explore related phrases such as "worthless endeavor", "useless attempt", or "pointless activity", based on the specific nuance to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worthless endeavor

Replaces 'exercise' with 'endeavor', emphasizing the effort involved while maintaining the sense of futility.

useless attempt

Substitutes both words to highlight the lack of utility in the action.

pointless activity

Replaces 'exercise' with 'activity', suggesting a lack of direction or purpose.

fruitless effort

Uses 'fruitless' to stress the absence of positive outcomes from the attempt.

vain undertaking

Emphasizes the arrogance or pride associated with a failed attempt.

abortive measure

Indicates a measure that was cut short or failed to reach completion.

ineffectual approach

Focuses on the ineffectiveness of the method used.

unproductive strategy

Suggests that the chosen strategy did not yield the desired results.

self-defeating action

Highlights that the action itself contributed to its own failure.

doomed undertaking

Implies a predestined failure from the beginning of the task.

FAQs

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

You can use "futile exercise" to describe an activity that is unlikely to produce any useful result. For example: "Arguing with him is a "futile exercise" because he never listens to reason".

What's a good alternative to "futile exercise"?

Alternatives to "futile exercise" include "worthless endeavor", "useless attempt", or "pointless activity". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to describe something as a "futile exercise"?

Yes, describing something as a "futile exercise" inherently carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the activity is unproductive and unlikely to succeed. It is used to express a sense of hopelessness or wasted effort.

In what context is it most appropriate to use "futile exercise"?

The phrase "futile exercise" is appropriate in many contexts, especially when discussing politics, sports, or personal relationships. It conveys the idea that expending energy on a particular task is unlikely to yield positive results. It's commonly used in "news and media" and "science".