is futile

USAGE SUMMARY

"is futile" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express something that is impossible to accomplish or that has no value, such as trying to reason with an unreasonable person. For example, "Trying to get him to agree to our terms is futile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Resistance is futile.

The New York Times

But resistance is futile.

Independent

Discussion is futile.

The Guardian - Books

Resistance, however, is futile.

The Guardian

Free is futile.

The Guardian

Metal resistance is futile.

The Guardian - Music

Resistance is futile, really.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Resistance may be futile.

The Economist

Their protests were futile.

The New York Times

His efforts were futile.

The New York Times - Sports

"But it was futile.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is futile" to clearly communicate that an action or effort is unlikely to yield any positive results or achieve its intended purpose. For example, "Arguing with someone who is unwilling to listen is futile."

Common error

Avoid using "is futile" when there is a reasonable chance of success, however small. The phrase implies a complete lack of possibility, not just a low probability of success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is futile" serves as a predicative adjective, modifying a subject to indicate that the action or state associated with the subject is incapable of producing any useful result. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is futile" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey the idea that an action or effort is unlikely to produce any positive results. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media sources, but also appears in scientific and formal contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of its strong connotation of impossibility and consider alternative expressions like "is pointless" or "is ineffective" if a less absolute meaning is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is pointless

Emphasizes the lack of purpose or value in undertaking a particular action.

is useless

Stresses the lack of practical value or benefit.

is ineffective

Highlights the lack of ability to produce the desired result.

is in vain

Implies that efforts are wasted and will not yield positive results.

is unproductive

Focuses on the lack of output or progress resulting from an action.

is unavailing

Indicates that efforts are fruitless and do not lead to success.

is a waste of time

Emphasizes the unproductive nature of an activity and the lack of worthwhile results.

is doomed to fail

Predicts an inevitable lack of success or a negative outcome.

is hopeless

Conveys a sense of despair and lack of optimism regarding the outcome.

is a lost cause

Suggests that the situation is beyond redemption or salvage.

FAQs

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

The phrase "is futile" is used to describe actions or efforts that are unlikely to produce any meaningful results. For example, "Trying to convince him otherwise "is futile"."

What are some alternatives to saying "is futile"?

You can use phrases such as "is pointless", "is useless", or "is ineffective" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "is futile"?

Use "is futile" when you want to emphasize that an action or effort is highly unlikely to succeed or achieve its intended purpose, often due to inherent limitations or insurmountable obstacles.

What's the difference between "is futile" and "is difficult"?

"Is difficult" implies that a task requires significant effort but is still achievable, while ""is futile"" suggests that the task is impossible or will not produce the desired outcome regardless of the effort expended.