vain endeavor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vain endeavor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort or attempt that is futile or unlikely to succeed. Example: "Despite their best efforts, the team's attempts to revive the project turned out to be a vain endeavor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Fictionalizing a life that is already so surreal is usually a vain endeavor (Shakespeare is one of the few who regularly pulled it off); so it's best in reading Naslund's romance to think of it as a kind of "Forever Amber" punted across the channel from Restoration England to Versailles.

The New York Times - Books

Almost 2,000 years later, in 1920, Shiites and Sunnis were killing each other in Mesopotamia, British officers were dying, and The Times of London wrote, "How much longer are valuable lives to be sacrificed in the vain endeavor to impose upon the Arab population an elaborate and expensive administration which they never asked for and do not want?" And then there was Napoleon.

The New York Times - Books

But trying to be him, or just like him, would be a vain endeavor.

TechCrunch

Barber opposed bringing in outsiders, citing delays in the preparation of the earlier gold coin designs which he attributed to the Saint-Gaudens studio: "it is entirely unnecessary to trouble Mr. Hering any further, unless another year is to be wasted in vain endeavor".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors".

Huffington Post

The Hamas Charter states that, "Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors".

Huffington Post

It was a futile endeavor.

The New York Times - Sports

But their struggles in this endeavor would be in vain without some means of evaluating the behaviors they'd tried.

Harvard Business Review

The intergenerational endeavor has been in vain.

Forbes

How vain.

Independent

Too vain.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vain endeavor" when you want to emphasize the futility and ultimate lack of success in a particular undertaking. Consider the nuances of alternatives like "futile attempt" or "fruitless effort" for subtle differences in meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "vain endeavor" in very casual or informal settings. Simpler terms like "waste of time" or "pointless" might be more appropriate in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vain endeavor" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes an action or attempt, characterizing it as futile or unproductive. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is considered grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vain endeavor" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe efforts that are ultimately futile. As stated by Ludwig AI, its usage is correct and suitable for written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and Wikipedia. Semantically related phrases include "futile attempt" and "fruitless effort". The phrase carries a somewhat formal tone and should be used judiciously in very casual contexts. When employing "vain endeavor", ensure that it accurately reflects the sense of futility you wish to convey, considering the subtle nuances of alternative expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

futile attempt

Focuses on the attempt itself being pointless or doomed to failure.

fruitless effort

Emphasizes the lack of positive results from the effort expended.

abortive undertaking

Implies that the undertaking was cut short or failed to reach completion.

useless pursuit

Highlights the lack of value or benefit derived from the pursuit.

pointless exercise

Suggests that the activity lacks any real purpose or value.

exercise in futility

A more emphatic way of stating that the effort is certain to fail.

doomed enterprise

Indicates that the endeavor is destined to fail from the outset.

hollow victory

Suggests a win without substance or lasting significance

self-defeating action

Implies that the effort undermines its own intended outcome.

self-sabotaging attempt

Highlights the ways in which the attempt contains the seeds of its own failure.

FAQs

What does "vain endeavor" mean?

A "vain endeavor" is an attempt or effort that is ultimately futile and produces no meaningful result. It suggests that the undertaking was unlikely to succeed from the start.

What are some alternatives to "vain endeavor"?

You can use alternatives like "futile attempt", "fruitless effort", or "pointless exercise" depending on the specific context.

Is "vain endeavor" formal or informal?

"Vain endeavor" leans towards the formal side, but can be used in neutral contexts as well. In very casual situations, simpler terms may be preferable.

How do I use "vain endeavor" in a sentence?

You can use "vain endeavor" to describe any action that is unlikely to produce the desired outcome. For example: "Their efforts to negotiate a peaceful resolution proved to be a "vain endeavor"."