useless pursuit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "useless pursuit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an endeavor or effort that is deemed to have no value or is unlikely to yield any positive results. Example: "After months of trying to change his mind, I realized it was a useless pursuit and decided to move on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Theology is a completely and utterly useless pursuit.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He was geocaching, the latest fad in the never-ending pursuit of ways to use sophisticated technology to accomplish useless things.

The New York Times - Tech

His criticism of the pursuit of useless luxuries (B3) also anticipates Socrates' rebuke of his fellow citizens for caring more about wealth and power than about virtue (cf. Apology 30b).

SEP

The abuser will eventually feel that their pursuit on you is useless and leave you alone.

WikiHow

Actually, as Curtis argues, nostalgia formed the basis of Trivial Pursuit's appeal from the moment it was released in 1982: The game concerns itself with useless information, yes, but useless information of a very specific sort: detritus from the 1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s, which flattered the baby boomer by making his golden years seem vital, even historic.

The New Yorker

Early in their pursuit of the bad guys, Ms. Blanchett and Mr. Jones encounter a cavalry unit (led by Val Kilmer), which proves to be both useless and corrupt, looting a homestead whose occupants have been kidnapped and killed.

The New York Times

"Useless cunts.

The Guardian - Opinion

Very useless.

The Guardian - Sport

Completely useless.

The Guardian

Be useless.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Pursuit is not easy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an activity that yields no positive results or benefits, use "useless pursuit" to clearly convey its lack of value. For example, instead of saying "trying to convince him was a waste of time", try: "trying to convince him was a "useless pursuit".

Common error

Avoid using "useless pursuit" when a simpler, more direct term like "waste of time" or "futile effort" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural. Always consider the context and choose the most concise and impactful wording.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "useless pursuit" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "useless" modifies the noun "pursuit". As Ludwig confirms, it describes an endeavor or activity that lacks value or positive outcome.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "useless pursuit" is a grammatically sound and understandable English phrase used to describe an activity or endeavor that lacks value or positive outcome. Ludwig confirms its usability and correctness. While relatively uncommon in frequency, it appears across diverse contexts like news, science, and wiki content. The phrase effectively conveys futility, but writers should consider simpler alternatives depending on context for clarity. The most authoritative sources that use the phrase are The Guardian, The New York Times and The New Yorker.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

futile endeavor

Replaces "pursuit" with "endeavor", indicating a more general attempt or effort, while "futile" emphasizes the lack of positive outcome.

pointless quest

Substitutes "pursuit" with "quest", suggesting a longer or more ambitious search, and "pointless" highlights the absence of a meaningful objective.

fruitless search

Changes "pursuit" to "search", focusing on the act of looking for something, and "fruitless" underscores the lack of success.

vain endeavor

Similar to "futile endeavor", but "vain" implies a sense of inflated ego or pride in the fruitless effort.

abortive attempt

Replaces the more general term, but "abortive attempt" highlights an incomplete and ultimately failed effort.

unproductive activity

Replaces "pursuit" with the general term "activity" and "useless" with "unproductive" maintaining the general meaning of activity with no results.

futile undertaking

Replaces "pursuit" with the more formal "undertaking", but "futile" emphasizes the lack of positive outcome.

unavailing effort

"Unavailing effort" is a more sophisticated or formal version of a failed attempt, stressing that the effort did not produce the intended result.

empty chase

This alternative emphasizes the futile and meaningless nature of the pursuit, often implying that it lacks substance or genuine reward.

worthless venture

This alternative conveys that the undertaking is of little to no value or significance, suggesting that it's a waste of time and resources.

FAQs

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

You can use "useless pursuit" to describe an activity or endeavor that is unlikely to yield any positive results. For example: "Chasing after fleeting fame is often a "useless pursuit"".

What can I say instead of "useless pursuit"?

You can use alternatives like "futile endeavor", "pointless quest", or "fruitless search" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "useless pursuit" or "worthless pursuit"?

Both "useless pursuit" and "worthless pursuit" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Useless" implies that something has no practical purpose or benefit, while "worthless" suggests that it has no value or merit. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "useless pursuit" and "idle pursuit"?

"Useless pursuit" implies that an activity is unproductive and doesn't achieve its intended goal, while "idle pursuit" suggests that an activity is leisurely and lacks serious purpose. The main difference lies in the focus on productivity versus seriousness of intent.