"All his efforts were a little avail" ,"All his efforts were

据牛津高阶英汉词典：
avail在作为名词时主要以习惯短语出现；
of no/little avail 或 to no/little avail 或 without avail
All his efforts were a little avail,非常别扭的表达,
应该用All his efforts were of little avail,比较正规!