It Is No Use Doing vs. It Is No Use To Do
Cambridge directly documents it is no use (doing something), also there is no use (doing something), for an attempt or action that will not succeed or help. The cited idiom licenses the -ing form inside this expression; do not infer an interchangeable it is no use to + infinitive pattern from general infinitive usage elsewhere.
Use it is no use + -ing, or there is no use + -ing, for the documented idiomatic pattern.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| idiomatic statement that an action will not help | it is no use + -ing | Use “it is no use doing …”. |
| attempted direct infinitive in the same idiom | it is no use + to-infinitive | Do not substitute the to-infinitive for this documented pattern. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Are you using the fixed expression “it is no use” to say that an action will not help?
If yes: Follow it with an -ing form.
If no: Use a different construction if you want an infinitive, rather than forcing one after “it is no use.”
Caveat: The guide concerns this idiomatic complement; “use” has other noun and verb constructions outside this pattern.
Examples
It is no use arguing after the decision has been signed.
The idiom takes the -ing form “arguing.”
There is no use waiting for a reply after the deadline.
The related “there is no use” pattern also takes -ing.
It is no use trying the same password again.
The activity that is judged unhelpful is expressed with -ing.
Further guidance
Boundary
The cited idiom licenses the -ing form inside this expression; do not infer an interchangeable it is no use to + infinitive pattern from general infinitive usage elsewhere.
Construction
Cambridge directly documents it is no use (doing something), also there is no use (doing something), for an attempt or action that will not succeed or help.
Decision
Use it is no use + -ing, or there is no use + -ing, for the documented idiomatic pattern.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- it's no use (doing something) (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press & Assessment · Preferred lexical authority directly documenting it is no use / there is no use doing something.