but in vain

[Mark_000]

Hi,
I came across a sentence and I was confused on its structure, did it omit some parts. Please help me to explain the structure. Thank you.
I tried to pursade him but in vain.

 

[Barb_D]

When you do something "in vain" it means that it didn't work -- whatever good result you'd hoped for, it did not happen.
In this case, the author was not able to persuade him.

 

[Mark_000]

Thank you.;-)
In that sentence, "but" was a conjunction, why it did not follow by a clause? The structure in that part was conjunction+ preposition phrase(functioned as an adverb), right? Did it comply with the grammar? Did the sentence omit some words? Maybe the sentence should be " I tried to persuade him but [STRIKE][/STRIKE]the result was[STRIKE][/STRIKE] in vain.", am I right?
If so, could you please give me few others examples with this structure?(Use other words or phrases rather than "in vain")

 

[5jj]

Thank you.;-)
In that sentence, "but" was a conjunction, why [STRIKE]it did not[/STRIKE] wasn't it followed by a clause?

There is no rule that conjunctions have to be followed by clauses.

 

[BobK]

Thank you.;-)
In that sentence, "but" was a conjunction, why it did not follow by a clause? The structure in that part was conjunction+ preposition phrase(functioned as an adverb), right? Did it comply with the grammar? Did the sentence omit some words? Maybe the sentence should be " I tried to persuade him but [STRIKE][/STRIKE]the result was[STRIKE][/STRIKE] in vain.", am I right?
If so, could you please give me few others examples with this structure?(Use other words or phrases rather than "in vain")

:down: The phrase 'in vain' is adverbial, and modifies the verb. Saying 'The result was in vain' makes no sense. There is also a one-word adverb: He tried vainly to persuade him. (This has nothing to do with someone looking vainly in a mirror - the attempt there is successful; it just shows vanity. ;-))

There is a related adjective - 'vain' - which qualifies the attempt: He tried to persuade him but the attempt was vain

There are several other words you can use: 'without success'/'but he had no luck'/'unsuccessfully'/.... . You may meet the archaic word 'bootlessly' in an old text. An informal way of referring to lack of success is 'he had no joy' - 'I'm been trying to track him down for weeks, but I've had no joy'.

b