pointless struggle

USAGE SUMMARY

"pointless struggle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a situation or task that appears to be difficult or futile, and therefore not worth attempting. For example: "The prospect of success in the election seemed like a pointless struggle, so we simply gave up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

In 2012 the Dutch Greens saw electoral disaster, dropping from ten seats in the 150-seat parliament to just four after a pointless struggle over the party leadership.

The Economist

Ultimately little children are needy by nature, we do not make them so, and the pointless struggle against this fact of life is the root cause of many a parent's difficult day or night.

The Guardian - Opinion

IT'S the noise, writes David Grossman, the gunshots, sirens, incendiary clichés, the frantic ringing of telephones: a cacophony, he believes, that saves Israelis and Palestinians from the silence that might otherwise tell them that they are squandering their lives in a pointless struggle that should have been resolved long ago.

The Economist

He wonders – in the wake of so much suffering and pointless struggle – whether there can be peace of mind or fulfilment without hope, and concludes that yes, perhaps there can, for those "who knew now that if there is one thing one can always yearn for, and sometimes attain, it is human love".

The Guardian - Books

"Just as Jonathan Swift told us about pointless battles over which way to put an egg in its cup, so Simon Rickerty has created a comically pointless struggle over a monkey nut, in its shell," said Rosen.

BBC

If Russ is right, life would then be reduced to a grim, pointless struggle for survival, driven on only by instinct to avoid death.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

We are forced to ask: Is the whole struggle for life pointless?

Huffington Post

To struggle against God is pointless and blasphemous".

Huffington Post

By any sensible measure, this 100-year struggle has been illiberal, murderous and pointless.

The Economist

Holding your cat down and making them struggle to get away will only make them hotter and more frustrated, and it's basically pointless.

WikiHow

Marketing: Pointless!

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pointless struggle", ensure the context clearly indicates why the effort is considered futile. Provide specific reasons or outcomes that demonstrate the lack of value or progress.

Common error

Avoid using "pointless struggle" in situations where the outcome is merely uncertain, rather than demonstrably futile. This phrase is most effective when there is clear evidence of wasted effort or a lack of achievable goals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pointless struggle" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "pointless" modifies the noun "struggle". It describes a specific type of effort or conflict characterized by its futility or lack of purpose. Ludwig AI confirms that is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pointless struggle" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes an effort perceived as futile or lacking purpose. Ludwig AI confirms that. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, often used to critically assess political or social situations. While not extremely common, its usage is clear and effective when the context demonstrates a clear lack of progress or achievable goals. Alternative phrases such as "futile effort" or "useless endeavor" can be used to convey similar meanings, but "pointless struggle" specifically emphasizes the combative or effortful nature of the unproductive activity. When using this phrase, ensure the futility is clearly demonstrated to avoid overuse in situations that are merely uncertain.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pointless conflict

Synonymous but emphasizes a dispute or disagreement.

exercise in futility

Highlights the inherently pointless nature of the activity from the outset.

futile effort

Focuses on the ineffectiveness of the attempt, highlighting the lack of results.

useless endeavor

Emphasizes the lack of value or benefit derived from the activity.

senseless battle

Highlights the irrationality and lack of logical reason in a combative situation.

vain attempt

Suggests a sense of pride or ego involved in the undertaking, which ultimately proves unsuccessful.

meaningless contest

Suggests the competition lacks any significant value or purpose.

fruitless pursuit

Implies a continuous and dedicated effort that yields no positive outcome.

abortive undertaking

Highlights the premature termination or failure of the project.

dead-end conflict

Emphasizes the lack of progress or resolution in a contentious situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "pointless struggle" to describe a situation where effort is being expended without any hope of a positive outcome. For example: "Their attempts to revive the failing business felt like a "pointless struggle"." In this case Ludwig AI confirms that is correct and usable in written English.

What's a good alternative to "pointless struggle"?

Alternatives to "pointless struggle" include "futile effort", "useless endeavor", or "vain attempt". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "pointless struggle" formal or informal?

"Pointless struggle" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, as shown by the Ludwig examples.

What makes a struggle "pointless"?

A struggle is considered "pointless" when the effort expended yields no meaningful results or progress, or when the goal is inherently unattainable. The examples from Ludwig illustrate this well.