| 1 | I made many attempts, all in vain. | |
| 2 | Revising the procedure was an entirely profitless exercise. | |
| 3 | All attempts to revive the fishing industry were foredoomed to failure. | |
| 4 | So I started looking online, also in vain. | |
| 5 | She again tries in vain to get her cell phone to pick up service. |