Example sentences of "[noun sg] [modal v] be [prep] vain " in BNC.
Next page| No | Sentence |
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| 1 | In dealing with the techniques of studying , memory has been treated first , for without memory all study would be in vain . |
| 2 | At one fête alone last year they raised £179 but this year all her work could be in vain . |
| 3 | The unending toil , which ground on at the pace of the changing seasons and the constant struggle against relentless Nature would be in vain , as far as Jonadab Oaks was concerned , unless there were others of his name to follow in his footsteps and work this land to which he had devoted his life . |
| 4 | Football : Bull 's double may be in vain |
| 5 | Failure to do so will mean that your efforts in negotiating long-term security of tenure might be in vain , as you could eventually find the shareholders deciding to bring your contract to a premature end and discover that you are unable to claim compensation for the full period during which you expected to work . |
| 6 | Nevertheless , all struggles should have their recompense , and the effort laid out to achieve a satisfactory musical culmination would be in vain if the climax were to disappear before anyone really noticed it . |
| 7 | Baptiste kept him company for a while as he blazed away , but when the ninth wicket fell with the score on 166 and fourteen overs still unused , it seemed that his effort would be in vain . |
| 8 | The eternal quest for immortality will be in vain until we know the answer — unfortunately , we do n't . |