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 • 2182 views

but to no avail

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

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.

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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

and to no avail

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

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.