en English es español fr française it italiano de deutsche ja 日本語 pl polski cs česky sv svenska tr Türkçe nl Nederlands

Why "in vein" is a bloody mistake

Reviewed and edited by Lloyd Cooper 09/10/2024, 15:55
English.me team member

What kind of error is it?

In vein or in vain. What's correct?

Spelling and homophone error

Why do people make this mistake?

People confuse "in vein" with the correct phrase "in vain" because they sound the same; they are homophones. Additionally, "vein" is a familiar word related to anatomy, which can lead to confusion.

What is correct?

The correct phrase is "in vain," which means "without success or result." It is used to describe actions that do not achieve the intended outcome.

Examples of correct usage

  • He tried to fix the engine all night, but it was in vain.
  • She waited for hours for the bus, but it was in vain because it never arrived.
  • Their efforts to negotiate a peace treaty were in vain.

Recommended posts in Grammar

Small word, big mistake: the "miniscule" error

Small word, big mistake: the "miniscule" error

People often assume the word is related to the prefix ... Learn more →

Why "standart" stumbles: understanding the error

Why "standart" stumbles: understanding the error

The error "standart" likely arises due to the influence of ... Learn more →

"Aquaint" yourself with the right spelling!

"Aquaint" yourself with the right spelling!

This mistake often occurs because the letter "c" in "acquaint" ... Learn more →

Why "must of" is a common mistake you must avoid

Why "must of" is a common mistake you must avoid

People make this error because "must of" is a phonetic ... Learn more →