What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fruitless
Example
The team's efforts to win the game were fruitless. [fruitless: adjective]
Example
I spent hours searching for my lost keys, but it was a fruitless effort. [fruitless: adjective]
useless
Example
This broken watch is useless. [useless: adjective]
Example
The new employee was useless and couldn't complete any tasks. [useless: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Useless is more commonly used than fruitless in everyday language. Useless is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while fruitless is less common and is often used in a limited context.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fruitless and useless?
Both fruitless and useless are considered formal words, but useless is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while fruitless is less common and is typically used in more formal contexts.
