pointless pursuit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pointless pursuit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an endeavor or activity that is considered to have no meaningful outcome or value. Example: "After months of trying to convince him to change his mind, I realized it was a pointless pursuit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Gen Manilov said talks with rebels would be a " pointless pursuit".

The Guardian

Always a pointless pursuit, as my existentialist friend Eeyore knows only too well.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To embrace death, or allow one's child to die, for a questionable reading of certain biblical dietary restrictions will seem to most a pointless pursuit of grief.

The Guardian - Books

Serving, against all hope and logic, to stay in the match, his last contribution to the entertainment was running in pointless pursuit of Nadal's crosscourt smash, resembling a child chasing a car down the street.

The Guardian - Sport

Putting the glossy orchestral backdrop to one side, Chasing Pavements manages to be both hackneyed and the kind of metaphor for pointless pursuit that wouldn't look out of place on a James Blunt album.

The Guardian - Music

Unlike the US, where government money has thrown billions of dollars into the pointless pursuit of converting corn into ethanol – a process that releases more CO2 per gallon than simply burning conventional fuels – Brazil's tropical climate allows it to source alcohol from its sugar crop.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

According to this unambitious argument, comedy is too frivolous or brittle to bear study, and joke analysis is destructive and unproductive, a pointless professorial pursuit that betrays the artform's light-hearted spirit.

The Guardian

But that profusion itself has a moral point: it represents as all the adventures of September and A-through-L and Blunderbuss represent the role of play, of free invention, and of apparently pointless creative pursuits.

The New Yorker

Erecting the tallest building in the world is a pursuit both pointless and exhilarating.

The New Yorker

In 1960, when the Chase Manhattan Bank built a huge… Erecting the tallest building in the world is a pursuit both pointless and exhilarating.

The New Yorker

Some will complain that this is a pointless exercise in the pursuit of a will-o'-the-wisp - authenticity - that adds little to our understanding of Shakespeare.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pointless pursuit", ensure the context clearly establishes why the activity lacks value or purpose. For instance, specify the resources wasted or the unattainable goal.

Common error

Avoid using "pointless pursuit" as a generic criticism. Instead, provide specific reasons or evidence to support the claim that the pursuit is indeed pointless. Without context, it can sound like a subjective judgment rather than an informed assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pointless pursuit" functions as a noun phrase, where 'pointless' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'pursuit'. It describes a specific type of endeavor. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pointless pursuit" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes an activity lacking value or purpose. According to Ludwig AI, it's correct and applicable in writing. While not overly formal, it appears frequently in news and media contexts, signifying criticism or disapproval. Alternatives like ""futile endeavor"" or ""useless quest"" can offer similar meanings with slight nuances. It's important to provide adequate context when using this phrase to ensure clarity and avoid subjective misinterpretations. Ensure the context validates the claim that the pursuit is, in fact, "pointless".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

futile endeavor

Replaces "pursuit" with a more general term for effort, while retaining the sense of futility.

useless quest

Substitutes "pursuit" with "quest", implying a more ambitious or prolonged effort that is ultimately unproductive.

fruitless undertaking

Uses "undertaking" as a broader term for a project or activity, highlighting its lack of positive outcome.

vain attempt

Emphasizes the lack of success in the effort, focusing on the ultimate ineffectiveness.

idle endeavor

Suggests that the effort is not only pointless but also lacks any real purpose or direction.

abortive attempt

Implies an attempt that was cut short or failed to reach completion, emphasizing its unproductiveness.

dead-end quest

Highlights the lack of progress or advancement in the effort, suggesting it leads nowhere.

misguided effort

Suggests that the effort was based on faulty reasoning or incorrect assumptions, leading to its failure.

worthless enterprise

Emphasizes the lack of value or merit in the undertaking, suggesting it is not worth the time or resources.

unproductive activity

Focuses on the lack of tangible results or benefits from the effort, highlighting its inefficiency.

FAQs

What does "pointless pursuit" mean?

A "pointless pursuit" refers to an activity or endeavor that is considered to have no meaningful outcome, value, or purpose. It suggests that expending effort on this pursuit is unlikely to yield any positive results.

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

You can use "pointless pursuit" to describe something you believe is a waste of time, such as, "Trying to convince him to apologize is a "pointless pursuit" since he never admits fault."

What are some alternatives to "pointless pursuit"?

Some alternatives to "pointless pursuit" include "futile endeavor", "useless quest", or "vain attempt". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "pointless pursuit" formal or informal?

"Pointless pursuit" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, consider your audience and the specific situation to ensure it's appropriate. More formal alternatives might include "fruitless undertaking" or "unproductive activity".