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Ça ne sert à rien d'alimenter les ragots de l'école.
Rien ne sert d'alimenter les ragots de l'école.
I wonder if there is any notable difference between the two constructions.
Incidentally, is "Ça ne rime à rien de..." synonymous with "Ça ne sert à rien de..."?
No notable difference.
The second is kind of old-fashioned and the only exemples that come in mind are proverbs like « Rien ne sert de courir, il faut partir à point. » − La Fontaine
More generaly, the second is rarely (never?) used without another proposition after, whereas the first could be a sentence alone.
And whatever is the proposition after you could still use the first construction, which is, again, more common nowaday.
"Ça ne rime à rien de..." synonymous with "Ça ne sert à rien de..."?
Absolutly. Exact same meaning. I don't know the reason and I can't find any other verbe than "rimer" that could fit here (to replace 'sert')…
