to no avail vs to no benefit

Both "to no avail" and "to no benefit" are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. "To no avail" is used to indicate that something was unsuccessful or ineffective, while "to no benefit" is used to suggest that there was no advantage or gain from a particular action.

Last updated: March 19, 2024 • 1040 views

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 achieve the desired result or was futile.

Examples:

He tried to fix the broken vase, but to no avail.
She searched for hours, but her efforts were to no avail.
The team worked hard, but their attempts were to no avail.

Show examples from the web [+]

We will throw our men to their deaths to no avail.
- She takes many blows to no avail.
(5) ICCAT's attempts to encourage the three countries to comply with measures for the conservation and management of Atlantic blue-fin tuna have been to no avail.
(5) ICCAT's attempts to encourage the two countries to comply with measures for the conservation and management of Atlantic swordfish have been to no avail.
I have researched the customs of 5,000 cultures to no avail.
ICCAT's attempts to encourage Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone to comply with measures for the conservation and management of Atlantic blue-fin tuna have been to no avail.
I therefore welcome the commitment of the Slovenian Presidency to conclude this process of transforming the Code into a common position during its mandate, although I recall, too, that previous presidencies made the same promise to no avail.
Experts have for years been pointing out, to no avail, that in the majority of crimes involving firearms (in Austrian crime statistics these account for a small fraction), the firearms were procured illegally.
Biological assessments and projections of sustainable fish stocks are very inaccurate and, in combination with the quota systems, are resulting in widespread discarding of caught, dead fish, which severely damages fish stocks as extensive resources are being fished to no avail.
There are a great many Members who raise their hands 15 times and more during Question Time to no avail, because the number of prospective questioners - thankfully - exceeds the number of question slots.
I have begged and pleaded our cause to no avail.
His firm's already done all that to no avail.
You would make yourself unhappy, and to no avail.
Michael has tried to get through to you all evening to no avail.
We've tried to no avail.
My husband has seen everyone to no avail.
You wanted the police to no avail.
Many of those affected have appealed to the governor to no avail.
Earlier attempts to address this issue to the EASA have been to no avail.
This does not mean that the complaint was groundless or to no avail.

Alternatives:

in vain
without success
fruitlessly
unsuccessfully
ineffectively

to no benefit

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English. It is used to suggest that there was no advantage or gain from a particular action.

This phrase is used to convey that a specific action did not result in any benefit or advantage.