in futile

USAGE SUMMARY

"in futile" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used as an adverb to describe something as having no useful result or value. For example, you could say, "He spent hours trying to fix the ancient computer, but his efforts were in vain, as all his attempts were in futile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I rowed in futile circles, out of synch.

Yale University

"I'm not an orphan!" Annie cries in futile protest.

The New York Times

They are no longer engaged in futile attempts to change one another.

University of California, Berkeley

Woodrow Wilson to order Gen. John J. Pershing into the Mexican hills in futile pursuit.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Instead of demanding better, we engage in futile competition over crumbs.

The Guardian - Opinion

She bent toward the screen in futile hope of glimpsing a familiar face.

The New York Times

Better to explain carefully why high inflation is likely to prove temporary than to indulge in "futile gestures", he said.

The Economist

People should attend religious services because they choose to, not in futile pursuit of some specious health effects.

The New York Times

Here, we investigate the impact of lysine acetylation turnover by sirtuins on cell physiology by engineering Sirtase, an enzyme that self-acetylates and deacetylates in futile cycles.

Metabolic Engineering

Walls and fences are being built across the continent in futile attempts to keep out the unwanted.

The Guardian - Opinion

That effort came after the village spent 15 years in futile attempts to secure financing from the Corps of Engineers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in futile" to emphasize the lack of positive outcome despite effort, creating a sense of wasted energy or resources.

Common error

Avoid using "in futile" when a simple statement of failure suffices. The phrase carries a stronger connotation of wasted effort, so ensure it fits the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in futile" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to describe an action or effort that lacks success or yields no desired result. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in futile" is a grammatically correct and widely used prepositional phrase that describes actions or efforts lacking success. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to modify verbs or nouns, conveying a sense of wasted effort and disappointment. While it appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Academic writing, it maintains a neutral to formal register. For alternative expressions, consider phrases such as "to no avail" or "in vain". Remember to reserve "in futile" for contexts where the sense of wasted effort is intentional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to no avail

Indicates that an effort or action did not produce the desired or intended result.

in vain

Expresses that something is done without success or result.

without success

Simply states the absence of a positive outcome.

unsuccessfully

Adverb form indicating a lack of success in a particular attempt.

to no effect

Highlights the lack of impact or influence of an action.

fruitlessly

Describes an action performed without achieving any beneficial result.

abortively

Implies that an attempt was cut short or failed to reach completion.

ineffectually

Suggests a lack of power or capacity to produce the desired effect.

unproductively

Indicates that an activity does not yield any useful or valuable output.

without result

Directly states that no outcome was achieved.

FAQs

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

You can use "in futile" to describe actions or efforts that did not produce the desired result. For instance, "The rescue team searched "to no avail", their efforts "in vain", as the storm worsened."

What are some alternatives to "in futile"?

Alternatives include "to no avail", "in vain", "without success", or "unsuccessfully". Choose the one that best fits the tone and context of your writing.

Is it better to say "futile attempt" or "attempt in futile"?

"Futile attempt" is a more common and natural construction. "Attempt in futile" is grammatically incorrect. Use phrases like "in a futile attempt" instead.

What does "in futile" emphasize in a sentence?

"In futile" emphasizes that the action not only failed, but also involved wasted effort or resources, often highlighting a sense of disappointment or frustration.