pointless exercise

USAGE SUMMARY

"pointless exercise" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to express disapproval of a task that is considered to be useless or futile. For example, "After weeks of research, I've come to the conclusion that this project is just a pointless exercise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But that's a pointless exercise.

The New York Times

It is a fairly pointless exercise.

The Guardian - Sport

A daft and supremely pointless exercise, surely.

The Guardian - Sport

"The Collection," however, is just a pointless exercise in sadism.

The New York Times

Are sports sanctions and boycotts a pointless exercise?

The Guardian - Sport

But it has not been a pointless exercise.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is therefore likely to be a pointless exercise.

The Guardian

"It would be a pointless exercise to try and recreate one's youth.

Independent

How this pointless exercise attracted such a classy cast is anyone's guess.

Independent

"This is going to be a pointless exercise," I say to myself.

The New York Times - Sports

It is a rather pointless exercise, but potentially quite fun nevertheless.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pointless exercise" when you want to express that an activity or task lacks a clear purpose or benefit. Be mindful of the context, as it can sometimes sound dismissive or critical.

Common error

Avoid using "pointless exercise" excessively in formal or professional settings, as it can sound too informal or judgmental. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "ineffective strategy" or "unproductive approach".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pointless exercise" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "pointless" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "exercise". As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe an activity or task that lacks purpose or value. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Sports

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pointless exercise" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that describes an activity lacking purpose or value. As Ludwig AI states, its meaning is consistently conveyed across various contexts. While it functions as a noun phrase, its primary communicative purpose is to express disapproval or criticism. Its usage is widespread across news and media, as well as sports and opinion pieces. When using this phrase, consider the context to avoid sounding overly critical, especially in formal settings. Alternatives such as "futile endeavor" or "waste of time" may be more appropriate depending on the desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

futile endeavor

Replaces "exercise" with "endeavor", emphasizing the effort involved while maintaining the sense of uselessness.

waste of time

A more common and direct way to express that something is not worth doing.

fruitless activity

Substitutes "exercise" with "activity" and "pointless" with "fruitless", highlighting the lack of positive results.

exercise in futility

Inverts the structure to emphasize the futility aspect.

meaningless task

Focuses on the lack of significance or purpose of the task.

worthless pursuit

Emphasizes that the activity is not valuable or worthwhile.

dead-end undertaking

Highlights that the activity leads to no positive outcome or progress.

useless endeavor

Directly states the lack of utility of the effort.

counterproductive effort

Suggests that the activity may actually hinder progress or create negative results.

empty gesture

Implies the action is done for show and has no real substance or impact.

FAQs

How can I use "pointless exercise" in a sentence?

You can use "pointless exercise" to describe an activity that has no purpose or is a waste of time. For example: "Trying to argue with him is a "pointless exercise"."

What are some alternatives to "pointless exercise"?

You can use alternatives like "futile endeavor", "waste of time", or "fruitless activity", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a pointless exercise" or "pointless exercise"?

Both "a pointless exercise" and "pointless exercise" are grammatically correct. The inclusion of the article "a" depends on the specific sentence structure and whether you are referring to a particular instance of a pointless activity.

What is the difference between "pointless exercise" and "waste of effort"?

"Pointless exercise" emphasizes the lack of purpose or value in an activity, while "waste of effort" focuses on the wasted energy and resources. They are similar, but "waste of effort" highlights the squandered resources.