1. I apologized repeatedly, but to little avail.

2. I tried to borrow some money but to little avail.

3. He tried to get his work recognized, but to little avail.

4. For a time we fought against the gathering shadows, but to little avail.

5. Throughout his life Alexander tried to get his work recognized by the medical profession, but to little avail.

6. This is a misconception that forest ecologists have for years been at pains to correct, but to little avail.

7. Last month, Japan intervened to slow the yen's gains to little avail, and traders said chances of more official yen selling would increase if the dollar falls below 80 yen.

8. A handful of climate-savvy winemakers such as Graves are trying to rouse their colleagues to action before it is too late, but to little avail.

9. I tried to persuade him not to resign but it was to little avail.

10. Just ask Newcastle United, who last winter pinned their hopes on Kevin Nolan and Ryan Taylor in a bid to arrest their slide down the table, to little avail.