in vain

USAGE SUMMARY

"in vain" is a valid part of a sentence in written English, and it typically means to no avail; with little or no success.
For example, "She searched the city in vain for her missing cat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In vain.

The Economist

But in vain.

The New York Times

Parker chased in vain.

Independent

It was in vain.

The Guardian

We screamed in vain.

The New York Times - Sports

They rail in vain.

The Economist

A wish in vain.

The New York Times

All in vain.

The New York Times - Books

And not in vain.

The Economist

"Nothing was in vain.

The New York Times - Sports

But they fled in vain.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in vain" to emphasize the futility of an action or effort, highlighting that it did not achieve its intended outcome. For example, "Despite their best efforts, they searched the forest "in vain".

Common error

Avoid using "in vain" when there was simply a delay in achieving a result; it should be reserved for situations where the effort definitively failed to produce the desired outcome. For instance, don't say "I waited "in vain"", if the waiting resulted in the expected outcome, only with delay.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in vain" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate that an action was performed without success or a positive outcome. Ludwig's examples show its use in diverse contexts, reinforcing its role in highlighting futility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in vain" is a commonly used adverbial phrase that indicates an action or effort was unsuccessful or futile. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, primarily in news, encyclopedias, and formal business communications. To enhance your writing, use "in vain" to underscore the lack of success, and consider alternatives like "to no avail" or "without success" for variety. Be mindful of its proper usage to avoid misrepresenting delays as complete failures. By understanding its function and register, you can effectively incorporate "in vain" into your writing to convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to no avail

This alternative highlights the lack of positive outcome or benefit from an action.

without success

This phrase directly states the absence of a favorable result or accomplishment.

unsuccessfully

This adverb describes the manner in which an action was carried out, emphasizing its failure.

fruitlessly

This emphasizes the unproductive nature of the effort or activity.

to no purpose

This alternative emphasizes the lack of a meaningful or useful result.

without result

This phrase focuses on the absence of any tangible or positive consequence.

abortively

This suggests an action that was cut short or failed to reach completion.

ineffectually

This emphasizes the lack of power or capacity to produce the desired effect.

without effect

This highlights the lack of impact or influence resulting from an action.

for naught

This implies that effort was expended but ultimately led to nothing.

FAQs

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

"In vain" is typically used after a verb to emphasize that an action was unsuccessful or futile. For example, "They tried to convince him, but all efforts were "to no avail" / "in vain"."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "in vain"?

You can use phrases like "to no avail", "without success", or "fruitlessly" as alternatives to "in vain", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "try in vain"?

Yes, it is correct. The phrase "try in vain" means to attempt something without achieving the desired result. For example, "He tried "unsuccessfully" / "in vain" to fix the broken machine."

What is the difference between "in vain" and "vainly"?

While both relate to futility, "in vain" is an adverbial phrase typically used after a verb to modify the entire action, while "vainly" is an adverb that directly modifies the verb. They can often be used interchangeably, but "in vain" may provide a stronger emphasis on the futility of the effort.