is fruitless

USAGE SUMMARY

"is fruitless" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means that something is unsuccessful or without results. It can be used to describe an action, effort, or pursuit that does not yield the desired outcome. Example: Despite all of our attempts to find a solution, our efforts have been fruitless.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is fruitless.

Independent

Search is fruitless.

Stanford University

"Post-hoc analysis is fruitless".

Independent

Contradicting him is fruitless.

The Guardian - Music

But such speculation is fruitless.

The Guardian

All too often the journey is fruitless.

The Guardian

To continue to search for this answer is fruitless.

Independent

Rating teachers who have oversized classes is fruitless.

The New York Times

But this sort of comparison, if unexamined, is fruitless.

The New Yorker

Importantly, one of these direct targets is fruitless, the master regulator of courtship.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

To focus on the issue and blow things out of proportion is fruitless.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is fruitless" when you want to clearly convey that an action or effort is not producing any valuable results. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "is fruitless" is a valid phrase, avoid using it repeatedly in your writing. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms such as "is futile", "is useless", or "is ineffective" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is fruitless" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying the subject of a sentence to describe its state or quality. It asserts that something lacks the ability to produce a desired outcome or result. Ludwig's examples clearly demonstrate its use in various contexts to indicate the futility of an action or effort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

22%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is fruitless" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe actions or efforts that yield no positive results. As Ludwig AI reports, it enjoys widespread use across diverse sources, most prominently in News & Media, Academia and Science. When using the phrase, consider diversifying your vocabulary with synonyms like "is futile" or "is unproductive" to avoid repetition. Remember, "is fruitless" is useful for effectively conveying the idea that a particular endeavor is not worth pursuing due to its lack of success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is unproductive

Emphasizes the lack of output or results.

is futile

Highlights the pointlessness of the effort.

is ineffective

Focuses on the lack of desired impact or outcome.

is useless

Stresses the lack of value or benefit.

is pointless

Highlights the lack of purpose or reason.

is in vain

Suggests a lack of success despite significant effort.

is unavailing

Similar to "in vain", but slightly more formal.

is abortive

Describes an attempt that fails to come to completion.

is থимeless

Emphasizes the lack of usefulness or productiveness.

is bootless

An older, more literary synonym for "useless".

FAQs

How can I use "is fruitless" in a sentence?

You can use "is fruitless" to describe an action or endeavor that yields no positive results. For example, "Their attempt to negotiate a settlement "is fruitless" because both parties are unwilling to compromise."

What are some alternatives to "is fruitless"?

Alternatives include "is futile", "is useless", "is ineffective", "is unproductive", and "is pointless". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "is fruitless" or "was fruitless"?

The correct tense depends on the timing of the action. Use "is fruitless" for present or ongoing situations and "was fruitless" for past situations. For example, "The search for the missing document "is fruitless"" (present) versus "The search for the missing document "was fruitless"" (past).

What's the difference between "is fruitless" and "is unsuccessful"?

"Is fruitless" implies that effort was expended but no positive results were achieved, whereas "is unsuccessful" simply means that the desired outcome was not reached, without necessarily implying effort. "The negotiation "is unsuccessful", even though we didn't try much" vs "The negotiation "is fruitless" after several weeks of hard work".