it's futile

USAGE SUMMARY

'it's futile' is correct and usable in written English.
It means that it is useless or pointless to try and do something. For example, "We have been trying to fix the problem all day, but it's futile".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I know when it's futile," said David Boies, Mr. Gore's chief trial lawyer, to Judge Sauls.

The New York Times

This principle is built upon our body's ultradian rhythms, and it's futile to fight against them even with artificial stimulants such as caffeine and sugary intake.

Huffington Post

Raising the floor is a laudable aim, no doubt, but it's futile if it also weakens a school's foundation of motivated, professional educators.

The New Yorker

That's all fine; that is a gradual move of one thing to its nth-degree, advanced-capitalism self, and it's futile to be precious about it. .

Vice

Today's move is a clear indication that Ericsson believes it's futile to compete with the likes of Finnish rival Nokia, which has consistently put better-designed phones on the market at lower prices while managing to keep profits high.

Forbes

"It's futile to dissect the screenplay.

The New York Times

In the short term, it's futile".

The New York Times

It's futile to accuse them of ungratefulness.

The Guardian - Opinion

And it's futile to try and find one.

The New York Times

"In planning of this sort it's futile to make guesses.

The Guardian

But it's futile to try to keep things out of the scientific literature.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's futile" when you want to express that an action or effort will not lead to a successful outcome, emphasizing the lack of purpose in pursuing it. Consider stronger alternatives if you want to convey a sense of desperation or urgency.

Common error

Avoid using "it's futile" when an action might have a small chance of success, however improbable. Reserve it for situations where the outcome is virtually impossible, not merely difficult.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's futile" functions as an adjective phrase expressing the futility or uselessness of an action or situation. It serves to convey that expending effort on something will not yield the desired result. Ludwig provides numerous examples to support this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it's futile" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express the pointlessness or uselessness of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, but also finds use in scientific and formal writing. When using it, consider the subtle nuances of similar phrases like "it's pointless" or "it's no use" to ensure the best fit for your intended meaning. Be mindful of its scope, reserving it for truly hopeless situations rather than merely difficult ones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's pointless

Direct synonym, indicating a lack of purpose or reason for doing something.

it's no use

Expresses that there's no benefit or advantage in trying.

it's hopeless

Suggests a lack of hope or possibility of success.

it's in vain

More formal, indicating that efforts are unproductive or without result.

it's a lost cause

Indicates that the situation is beyond redemption or salvage.

it's a waste of time

Highlights the inefficiency and lack of value in pursuing something.

it's unproductive

Focuses on the lack of output or results from an action.

it's ineffective

Emphasizes the lack of desired effect or outcome.

it's unavailing

Formal synonym indicating lack of success or result.

it's all for naught

More literary, suggests that all efforts have been wasted.

FAQs

How can I use "it's futile" in a sentence?

You can use "it's futile" to describe an action or effort that is unlikely to produce any positive results. For instance, "it's futile to resist if they have already made up their minds" or "it's futile arguing with him when he refuses to listen".

What are some alternatives to "it's futile"?

Alternatives to "it's futile" include phrases like "it's pointless", "it's no use", or "it's hopeless", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it's futile" formal or informal?

"It's futile" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might prefer alternatives like "it's in vain" or "it's unavailing".

What does "it's futile" mean?

"It's futile" means that something is pointless or useless because it has no chance of succeeding. It suggests that any effort expended will be wasted and will not produce the desired outcome.