pointlessness
pointlessness — 名詞
1. the quality or fact that something has no real purpose, value, or useful outcome
無意義；徒勞
缺乏目的或浪費時間的狀態
the quality or fact that something has no real purpose, value, or useful outcome — the feeling that an effort, action, or situation is not worth doing because nothing good will come from it
Sofia stared at the blank page, overwhelmed by the pointlessness of yet another essay that nobody would read.
Sofia 盯著空白的頁面，對自己又要寫一篇沒人會讀的文章感到非常徒勞。
the pointlessness of [noun phrase]
After three hours of discussion with no decision, Asher began to feel the pointlessness of the whole meeting.
討論了三小時仍毫無決議，Asher 開始覺得整場會議毫無意義。
feel the pointlessness of [something]
The pointlessness of the rule became clear when even the teachers admitted they never enforced it.
那條規定的無意義之處很明顯，連老師都承認他們從來沒有執行過。
Nadia questioned the pointlessness of spending her savings on a degree that offered no job prospects.
Nadia 質疑把積蓄花在一張無法帶來工作機會的學位上有什麼意義。
A deep sense of pointlessness settled over the team when their project was cancelled for the third time.
團隊的計畫第三次被取消時，一股深深的無意義感籠罩了所有人。
- futility
stronger emphasis on failure to achieve any result even when effort is made
- uselessness
more direct and informal; suggests something cannot be used effectively
- meaninglessness
focuses on lack of significance rather than lack of purpose
- purposefulness
having a clear aim or reason
- meaningfulness
being significant or worthwhile
文法句型
the pointlessness of [noun/-ing]
用法筆記
Often appears in the pattern 'the pointlessness of + noun/-ing form'. Frequently used with verbs like feel, question, realize, or see to describe someone becoming aware of a lack of purpose.
常見錯誤
pointlessness — 形容詞
- pointlessnesspositive
- more pointlessnesscomparative
- most pointlessnesssuperlative
1. having no clear meaning, reason, or good purpose — describes actions, rules, or
無意義的
缺乏清楚理由或價值的
having no clear meaning, reason, or good purpose — describes actions, rules, or situations that seem unnecessary because they achieve nothing useful or sensible
Tariq thought it was pointless to argue with someone who refused to listen to any other opinion.
Tariq 認為和一個拒絕聽取任何意見的人爭論是沒有意義的。
it is pointless to [infinitive]
The teacher called the homework assignment pointless because the students had already mastered the topic.
老師說這份回家作業沒有意義，因為學生們早就掌握了那個主題。
Luca spent hours on a pointless task that his boss later admitted was just busywork.
Luca 花了幾個小時做一項毫無意義的任務，後來主管承認那只是為了讓大家有事做。
The villagers saw the new road as a pointless project that only damaged the forest without helping anyone.
村民們認為那條新馬路是個毫無意義的計畫，只破壞了森林卻沒有造福任何人。
Jiwoo realised it was pointless to worry about the exam results when she had done everything she could.
Jiwoo 意識到既然自己已經盡了全力，擔心考試結果是沒有意義的。
- worthwhile
worth the time or effort spent
- meaningful
having importance or value
文法句型
it is pointless to [do something]
[subject] + be + pointless
用法筆記
Commonly used in the impersonal pattern 'it is pointless to do something'. Frequently modifies nouns for actions or things people create: task, rule, argument, question, exercise, violence.
常見錯誤
2. failing to produce the expected effect or reaction — used especially about humou
無效果的
無法達到預期效果的
failing to produce the expected effect or reaction — used especially about humour, criticism, or performances that fall flat and do not engage or impress anyone
The comedian's pointless jokes landed in silence, leaving the audience unsure how to react.
那位喜劇演員的笑話毫無效果，現場一片沉默，觀眾不知該如何反應。
pointless + jokes / humour (falling flat)
Adina's attempt at a witty remark fell completely flat, and everyone just stared at their plates.
Adina 本想說句機智的話卻完全冷場，大家只是盯著自己的盤子。
The speaker's pointless anecdotes failed to hold the attention of anyone in the conference hall.
演講者那些無效果的軼事無法吸引會議廳裡任何人的注意。
Michael considered the whole presentation pointless — the slides were pretty but nobody remembered a single point.
Michael 認為整場簡報毫無效果——投影片很漂亮，但沒人記得任何一個重點。
- flat
more informal; describes humour or performance that does not get a reaction
- ineffective
broader term for failing to produce a result
- weak
more general; suggests lack of force or impact
文法句型
[subject] + be + pointless
pointless [noun]
用法筆記
This sense is less common and primarily found in American English criticism of performances, remarks, or creative work. Distinguish from sense 1: here the action may have a purpose but fails to achieve it, whereas sense 1 describes something that has no purpose at all.