pointless undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pointless undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort or task that is perceived to have no value or purpose. Example: "After weeks of planning, we realized that the project was a pointless undertaking and decided to abandon it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A pointless undertaking – in her view and mine – not least because when I refused to eat the stuff, I was sent supperless to bed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"You loved it," he writes of the game, "because you considered it an art: an apparently pointless affair, undertaken by people with a special aptitude, which sidestepped attempts to paraphrase its value yet somehow seemed to communicate something true or even crucial about the Human Condition.

The New York Times - Books

He's into "deficit neutral tax reform," which, as I like to say around here, is like "cake-neutral baking" -- and exercise so pointless in the undertaking, that only an idiot goes to the trouble.

Huffington Post

Aria was forced to undertake pointless physical labour, like cutting down huge trees and dragging them along the ground for half an hour, as well as being told to sit opposite a wall at night and continuously write stuff like, "I am a slut" and "I'm not good enough".

Vice

Aria was forced to undertake pointless physical labor, like cutting down huge trees and dragging them along the ground for half an hour, as well as being told to sit opposite a wall at night and continuously write stuff like, "I am a slut" and "I'm not good enough".

Vice

The story turns on the order made to a battalion of marines to undertake a pointless, gruelling 36-mile march from one post to another, while a group of fellow soldiers lies dead, killed in an accidental explosion.

The Guardian - Books

Not likely, yet that is the quixotic and basically pointless crusade that these windows undertake: to marry our annual celebrations of the year's end with our nightly celebrations of culinary theater.

The New York Times

Tower (a veteran of the North African campaigns and Arnhem) also considered that undertaking a full reoccupation of the Crater was pointless given that British withdrawal from Aden was imminent.

Wikipedia

its pointless.

University of California, Berkeley

Marketing: Pointless!

The New York Times

Pointless fact?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pointless undertaking" to clearly and concisely convey that an effort or project is unlikely to yield any positive results or benefits.

Common error

While "pointless undertaking" is grammatically sound, avoid using it excessively in formal reports or business communications. Opt for more professional alternatives like "unproductive endeavor" or "ineffective strategy" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pointless undertaking" functions as a noun phrase, where 'pointless' modifies 'undertaking'. It describes an action or project considered to have no value or prospect of success, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pointless undertaking" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an activity or project with little to no chance of success. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usage, primarily within news and media contexts. While effective in conveying futility, consider more formal alternatives like "unproductive endeavor" in professional settings. The phrase is best used to clearly communicate the lack of value or purpose in a specific action or project.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

futile endeavor

Replaces 'undertaking' with 'endeavor', emphasizing the effort involved is unproductive.

worthless effort

Substitutes 'pointless' with 'worthless', highlighting the lack of value in the effort.

fruitless exercise

Changes 'undertaking' to 'exercise', implying a repetitive and unproductive activity.

abortive attempt

Focuses on the failure aspect, suggesting the undertaking was unsuccessful and cut short.

vain pursuit

Replaces both words to convey a sense of hopelessness and lack of progress.

senseless activity

Emphasizes the lack of logic or reason behind the undertaking.

unproductive task

Directly states that the task yields no positive results.

empty gesture

Implies the undertaking is merely symbolic and lacks real substance.

idle pursuit

Suggests the undertaking is leisurely and lacks serious intent or purpose.

misguided project

Highlights that the undertaking is based on flawed judgment or incorrect information.

FAQs

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

You can use "pointless undertaking" to describe an activity that has no purpose or is unlikely to succeed. For example, "Trying to convince him to change his mind was a "pointless undertaking".".

What can I say instead of "pointless undertaking"?

You can use alternatives like "futile endeavor", "worthless effort", or "fruitless exercise" depending on the context.

Is "pointless undertaking" formal or informal?

"Pointless undertaking" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but alternatives such as "unproductive endeavor" may be more suitable for highly formal situations.

What is the difference between "pointless undertaking" and "waste of time"?

"Pointless undertaking" specifically refers to an effort or project that is unlikely to succeed, whereas "waste of time" is a more general term for any activity that is unproductive or unfulfilling.