Taran's numbed fingers clutched vainly at an outcropping as a rock gave way beneath his feet.

Clutching vainly, as his body teetered dizzily at the very edge of the beam.

As he clutched vainly, his legs were hoisted from the floor.

Her fingers clutched vainly at empty air.

I dropped prone again and clutched vainly at the floor for fear of being swept bodily through the open gate into the phosphorescent abyss.

Writhing in agony, Magg clutched vainly at the burning metal which now had turned white hot, and with a last scream toppled from the throne.

The victim's wings beat madly, its hooked arms clutching vainly for something to break the hold that was destroying it.

His fingers clutched vainly at the air.

Its twitching limbs flew away from her, clutching vainly at the thong that choked it.

His hands were vainly clutching the hard rock of the tunnel floor as he pressed himself to the ground and his mind felt shattered.