“In vein” or “in vain”: which is correct?
in vain
The short answer
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.
Spelling and homophone error
Why people get it wrong
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.
Examples with in vain
- 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.
Quick check
He tried to fix the engine all night, but it was .
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.
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