useless endeavor

USAGE SUMMARY

"useless endeavor" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a task that was attempted but ultimately unsuccessful. For example: "The team's attempt to design a new app was a useless endeavor as their ideas did not have enough traction in the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Stalking a wild turkey is an almost useless endeavor -- the birds have marvelous vision.

The New York Times - Sports

A lot of people consider it a useless endeavor and tend to have some less-than-kind statements about those who do it.

Huffington Post

Consistently poor grades will only convince poor performing students that school is a useless endeavor and the sooner they drop out the better.

Huffington Post

Outrage for the sake of outrage is a useless endeavor but it suits the short attention spans and fast pace of the internet well.

Vice

I guess it takes a certain type of character to commit their life to such a crazy and ultimately useless endeavor.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Coster-Mullen's research project can be construed as a danger to mankind or as a useless antiquarian endeavor.

The New Yorker

Any compromise in integrity, after all, would make the whole endeavor useless.

Science Magazine

"Useless cunts.

The Guardian - Opinion

Completely useless.

The Guardian

Be useless.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Very useless.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation where effort was expended without any positive result, use "useless endeavor" to clearly convey the futility of the action. For example: "Despite their best efforts, the search for the missing key proved to be a "useless endeavor".

Common error

While "useless endeavor" is acceptable, it may sound overly negative or informal in some formal or business contexts. Consider replacing it with more neutral phrases like "unsuccessful attempt" or "ineffective strategy" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "useless endeavor" functions as a noun phrase where "useless" modifies the noun "endeavor". It describes an activity or attempt that lacks value, purpose, or the potential for success. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "useless endeavor" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon expression used to describe an attempt or activity that is ultimately futile or worthless. As Ludwig AI confirms, its structure and usage are standard. While it appears primarily in news and media sources, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for various contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in professional settings. When deciding if you should use it, consider if alternatives like ""futile attempt"" or ""fruitless effort"" might better fit your needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

futile attempt

Focuses on the attempt being pointless and unlikely to succeed.

fruitless effort

Highlights the lack of positive results or outcomes from the effort.

vain pursuit

Emphasizes the pride or ego involved in continuing a pointless effort.

pointless exercise

Underscores the lack of purpose or value in the activity.

abortive undertaking

Highlights the idea that the project was cut short because it was unproductive.

unproductive enterprise

Emphasizes the lack of output or benefit from the undertaking.

worthless activity

Focuses on the lack of value or merit in the endeavor.

futile activity

Highlights the idea that the activity has no practical purpose or chance of success.

abortive effort

Highlights the fact that the effort was terminated without fully being completed.

fruitless pursuit

Emphasizes the absence of desirable outcomes from chasing a goal.

FAQs

How can I use "useless endeavor" in a sentence?

You can use "useless endeavor" to describe an attempt or activity that ultimately fails to achieve its intended purpose. For instance, "Trying to convince him to change his mind was a "useless endeavor"."

What are some alternatives to "useless endeavor"?

Alternatives include "futile attempt", "fruitless effort", or "vain pursuit". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "useless endeavor" a formal or informal phrase?

"Useless endeavor" is generally considered a neutral phrase, suitable for both informal and moderately formal contexts. However, in highly formal or business settings, consider using more professional alternatives.

What's the difference between "useless endeavor" and "fruitless endeavor"?

While similar, "useless endeavor" emphasizes the lack of value or purpose, whereas "fruitless endeavor" highlights the absence of positive outcomes or results. The choice depends on whether you want to stress the lack of worth or the lack of success.