in vain endeavor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in vain endeavor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort or attempt that is futile or without success. Example: "Despite their in vain endeavor to fix the old car, it remained broken and unusable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Barber opposed bringing in outsiders, citing delays in the preparation of the earlier gold coin designs which he attributed to the Saint-Gaudens studio: "it is entirely unnecessary to trouble Mr. Hering any further, unless another year is to be wasted in vain endeavor".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Almost 2,000 years later, in 1920, Shiites and Sunnis were killing each other in Mesopotamia, British officers were dying, and The Times of London wrote, "How much longer are valuable lives to be sacrificed in the vain endeavor to impose upon the Arab population an elaborate and expensive administration which they never asked for and do not want?" And then there was Napoleon.

The New York Times - Books

But trying to be him, or just like him, would be a vain endeavor.

TechCrunch

Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors".

Huffington Post

But their struggles in this endeavor would be in vain without some means of evaluating the behaviors they'd tried.

Harvard Business Review

The intergenerational endeavor has been in vain.

Forbes

Unfortunately, the friends' effort was in vain.

Cornell University

He tempts in vain.

Yale University

But in vain.

The New York Times

Parker chased in vain.

Independent

It was in vain.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in vain endeavor" to emphasize the ultimately unsuccessful nature of a significant or prolonged effort. It adds a touch of formality and highlights the disappointment of the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "in vain endeavor" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its slightly elevated tone is better suited for formal reports, academic papers, or situations where a degree of gravitas is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in vain endeavor" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, typically describing an effort or attempt. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in vain endeavor" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe an effort or attempt that ultimately proves unsuccessful. Ludwig AI analysis indicates its correctness and usability, though it leans towards formal contexts. While not frequently encountered, it effectively conveys the futility of an action. Alternatives such as "futile effort" or "fruitless attempt" can provide similar meaning. When employing this phrase, consider the formality of your writing and the impact you wish to create, as it subtly underscores the disappointment of an unrealized goal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fruitless attempt

Replaces "endeavor" with "attempt", slightly altering the formality while retaining the core meaning of an unsuccessful try.

futile effort

Substitutes "endeavor" with "effort", providing a more direct and common synonym for a failed undertaking.

fruitless pursuit

Similar to "fruitless attempt" but more directly focused on sustained chasing after something unattainable.

abortive attempt

Emphasizes the failure to bring the attempt to full term, suggesting premature termination and lack of success.

unsuccessful undertaking

Replaces both "vain" and "endeavor" with synonyms, creating a more descriptive but slightly less impactful phrase.

futile chase

Conveys a sense of pointless and exhausting pursuit, often implying a desperate but doomed attempt.

lost cause

Shifts the focus to the inherent impossibility of success from the beginning, implying a pre-determined failure.

hopeless pursuit

Highlights the lack of hope associated with the endeavor, emphasizing the emotional aspect of its futility.

doomed enterprise

Indicates an endeavor that is destined to fail from its inception, emphasizing a sense of inevitability.

exercise in futility

Frames the endeavor as an example of pointlessness, emphasizing the lack of any meaningful outcome.

FAQs

What does "in vain endeavor" mean?

The phrase "in vain endeavor" describes an attempt or effort that ultimately proves unsuccessful or futile. It implies that the work put in did not achieve the desired result.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "in vain endeavor"?

It is best used in formal writing or speech to describe a significant effort that, despite best attempts, did not succeed. Alternatives like "fruitless attempt" may be more suitable for informal contexts.

What are some alternatives to "in vain endeavor"?

Some alternatives include "futile effort", "unsuccessful attempt", "lost cause", or "hopeless pursuit" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

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

Example: "Despite their "in vain endeavor" to fix the old car, it remained broken and unusable." Another example: "His "in vain endeavor" to persuade the board resulted in his resignation."