is for naught

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is for naught" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that something has been done in vain or without any result. Example: "Despite all her efforts to save the project, her hard work was for naught when the funding was cut."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

But the trapezoid is for naught.

The New Yorker

Maybe all this is for naught, though.

The Washington Post

And then Linda Flayton suggests that all is for naught.

The New York Times

Why bother getting involved if all is for naught?

The Washington Post

Much of the frenzy is for naught, of course.

The New York Times

But if they can't see that for themselves, everything I try to do for them is for naught".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

It was for naught.

Princeton University

That may be for naught.

The New York Times

My anxiety was for naught.

The New York Times

Could it be for naught?

Cornell University

The yelling was for naught.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is for naught", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific action or effort proved unsuccessful. This will enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "is for naught" when something has a minor setback but still achieves a partial result. This phrase is best reserved for situations where efforts have completely failed to produce the intended outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is for naught" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of an action or effort. It indicates that something has been rendered useless or ineffective. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

9%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is for naught" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that conveys the futility of an action or effort. Ludwig's analysis confirms its proper usage across various contexts. It functions as a predicate adjective, emphasizing the lack of a positive outcome. While it can lean towards formality, its presence in both news and academic sources suggests a neutral register. Remember to use it when the effort did not yield any results. Alternative phrases include "is in vain" and "comes to nothing", offering similar ways to express the lack of success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is in vain

This alternative directly replaces "for naught" with "in vain", emphasizing the lack of success or value.

is to no avail

This phrase replaces the original with a more formal expression, highlighting the ineffectiveness of the effort.

is without effect

This alternative emphasizes the absence of any impact or consequence resulting from the action.

comes to nothing

This phrase focuses on the lack of a positive outcome or result, suggesting a failure to achieve the intended goal.

proves fruitless

This alternative suggests that the endeavor did not yield any desired outcome, emphasizing the lack of productivity.

is all in waste

This phrase describes the futility of some activity.

is without success

This alternative emphasizes the lack of a favorable outcome, explicitly stating the failure to achieve success.

is a lost cause

This phrase indicates a situation where success is impossible, highlighting the futility of further effort.

is to no purpose

This alternative specifies that there was no intent in the beginning.

is a useless effort

This phrase means the activity is inefficient, and no results will come out of that.

FAQs

What does "is for naught" mean?

The phrase "is for naught" means that something has been done in vain or without any result. It signifies that all efforts have been unsuccessful.

How can I use "is for naught" in a sentence?

You can use "is for naught" to express that an action or effort was ultimately useless or ineffective. For example, "All her efforts to save the project "were for naught" when the funding was cut."

What can I say instead of "is for naught"?

You can use alternatives like "is in vain", "is to no avail", or "comes to nothing" depending on the context.

Is "is for naught" formal or informal?

The phrase "is for naught" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it tends to lean towards a more formal or literary tone.