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 searched for my lost keys in the park, but it was a fruitless effort. [fruitless: adjective]
vain
Example
He tried in vain to fix the broken vase. [vain: adverb]
Example
She was so vain that she spent hours in front of the mirror every day. [vain: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fruitless is more common than vain in everyday language, as it is a more versatile word that can be used in various contexts. Vain is less common and is often used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fruitless and vain?
Both fruitless and vain are relatively formal words that are appropriate for use in academic or professional writing.
