To no avail means without success, with no result: we searched the storage room twice, but to no avail. It usually comes at the end, after an attempt: tried, searched, appealed. It sounds literary and suits written stories and essays; in conversation, it didn't help is simpler.
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try / search / appeal to no avail; ..., but to no avail
- We searched the storage room twice, but to no avail.
- She tried to restart the projector, to no avail.
- The residents appealed for a later closing time, but to no avail.
What changed
First versionI tried three different passwords, but to not avail.
RevisionI tried three different passwords, but to no avail.
Not is the everyday negative, so to not avail seems like a normal way to say no result. But avail here is a noun meaning use or benefit, and before a noun the negative is no: to no avail.
Without success is the plain, neutral option. For nothing means in vain but also free, so it can be ambiguous. To no avail only means without result, and it sounds more formal.
Your turn
The attempt produced no result: We called the missing phone, but to ___ avail.
Show the answer
no — Before the noun avail you need no. Not isn't used before a noun here.
Describe an attempt to find something, fix something or reach someone that got nowhere. Use to no avail.
I checked every pocket for the receipt, but to no avail.
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