but to no avail vs and to no avail

Both "but to no avail" and "and to no avail" are correct phrases in English. They are used to indicate that something was unsuccessful or ineffective. The choice between "but" and "and" depends on the context and the flow of the sentence.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 2355 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something was unsuccessful or ineffective.

"but to no avail"

This phrase is used to express that an effort or action did not produce the desired result. It is often used to convey disappointment or frustration.

Examples:

He tried to fix the broken computer, but to no avail.
She searched for her lost keys, but to no avail.
They attempted to negotiate a compromise, but to no avail.

Show examples from the web [+]

During this time, the principal Money Changers struggled to regain their lost centralized power, but to no avail.
For five years Silver attempted to demonstrate the advantages of his invention, but to no avail.
I've tried to be nice but to no avail.
Haydn remonstrated with the prince, but to no avail.
He tried everything, but to no avail.
The grandparents couldn't handle him, so I tried taking him, but to no avail.
I tried many times to call you but to no avail.
Parliament has repeatedly asked the Commission for transparency in the ACTA negotiations, but to no avail.
Kihachi, the hero, looks for a job, but to no avail.
For 20 years I tried to warn GM and others that this day was coming, but to no avail.
We have discussed the matter on several occasions with the United States, but to no avail.
I even offered that Rebecca was unbalanced in an effort to attempt to lull him into confession, but to no avail.
I asked the Committee on Foreign Affairs to withdraw the amendment on two occasions, but to no avail.
And we built on that theory with the Isaacs in Florida, but to no avail.
Mrs Andreasen initially went through the internal channels and passed her observations up the line to Mr Prodi, but to no avail so far as I understand.
The incident caused an outcry the world over, but to no avail, as the situation in the region remains unchanged.
Since Yugoslavia fell apart in 1992, attempts have been made to turn Bosnia and Herzegovina into a unitary state, but to no avail. I expect this will not be possible in the near or distant future.
For hours, the experts tried to find some way to unwedge the vehicle, but to no avail.
I have raised this issue at least half a dozen times already, and indeed I have also made a formal complaint, but to no avail: the foam on the river remains, while the Commission sits there doing nothing.
I would like to leave everything, my language, my country - but to no avail

Alternatives:

but it was in vain
but without success
but with no success
but unsuccessfully
but fruitlessly

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something was unsuccessful or ineffective.

"and to no avail"

This phrase is also used to express that an effort or action did not produce the desired result. It can be used when listing multiple unsuccessful attempts or actions.

Examples:

He tried to fix the broken computer, and to no avail, he called a technician.
She searched for her lost keys, and to no avail, she had to ask for a spare set.
They attempted to negotiate a compromise, and to no avail, the talks broke down.

Show examples from the web [+]

You would make yourself unhappy, and to no avail.
The indications are that huge sums are being invested by farmers and public authorities with no environmental or health-related justification and to no avail.
So, there are at least four different organisations and groups down there with round tables and square tables, and all to no avail.
The political pleas by Commissioner Wallström and the troika were to no avail.
I have begged and pleaded our cause to no avail.
After the first, we shut down assets in syria and iraq... To no avail.
They tried everything, induction, hypnosis but to no avail.
His firm's already done all that to no avail.
Requests have been made to send letters, but to no avail.
I have researched the customs of 5,000 cultures to no avail.
You've tried before to no avail.
He tried everything, but to no avail.
We will throw our men to their deaths to no avail.
She takes many blows to no avail.
That investigator did everything he could, to no avail.
Only if all of that is to no avail do we need military crisis management.
I have stood up to the group discipline of my delegation to support you, but to no avail.
I've tried to be nice but to no avail.
You wanted the police to no avail.
This does not mean that the complaint was groundless or to no avail.

Alternatives:

and it was in vain
and without success
and with no success
and unsuccessfully
and fruitlessly

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but to no avail vs and to no avail

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