Unsuccessful attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Unsuccessful attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort that did not achieve its intended goal or outcome. Example: "Despite their hard work, the team's unsuccessful attempt to secure funding left them searching for alternative solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unsuccessful attempt to assassinate monarch.

BBC

Unsuccessful attempt at another around-the-world trip.

Forbes

His accent is a wildly unsuccessful attempt at Cockney.

The Guardian - Film

While married, he made an unsuccessful attempt at chicken farming.

The New York Times

After an unsuccessful attempt at suicide, Herod died.

Britannica

This involved an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate its prime minister.

The Washington Post

Fleeing to Marseille, Benjamin made an unsuccessful attempt at escape aboard a freighter bound for Ceylon.

The Guardian

The unsuccessful attempt to unscrew the lock with the aid of a nailfile.

The New Yorker

Tells about his love affairs; his unsuccessful attempt to photograph an American girl in the nude.

The New Yorker

Yahoo users suspect the new Yahoo mail was Yahoo's unsuccessful attempt to mimic Gmail.

The New York Times

It can revamp its deeply unsuccessful attempt to aid troubled homeowners.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an "unsuccessful attempt", specify the reason for the failure to provide context and clarity. For example, instead of just saying "The attempt was unsuccessful", explain "The attempt to climb the mountain was unsuccessful due to the severe weather conditions."

Common error

Avoid using dramatic language when describing an "unsuccessful attempt" that had minimal impact. Using phrases like "catastrophic failure" for a minor issue can undermine your credibility. Choose language that accurately reflects the scale of the setback.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unsuccessful attempt" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig shows examples of this phrase describing various failed endeavors, clarifying the lack of achievement in the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

27%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unsuccessful attempt" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an endeavor that did not achieve its intended goal. Ludwig provides numerous examples across various domains, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. The phrase typically functions as a noun phrase and maintains a neutral tone. Alternatives like ""failed attempt"" or ""fruitless effort"" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. It's important to provide context when using this phrase to explain the reason for the failure and avoid exaggerating the significance of minor setbacks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed attempt

Replaces "unsuccessful" with "failed", indicating a lack of success.

unsuccessful endeavor

Replaces "attempt" with "endeavor", providing a slightly more formal tone.

abortive attempt

Uses "abortive" to suggest an attempt that was cut short or did not fully develop.

thwarted effort

Indicates an effort that was blocked or prevented from succeeding by external forces.

fruitless effort

Shifts the focus to the effort being unproductive or yielding no positive results.

unavailing effort

Synonymous with "fruitless effort", emphasizing the lack of positive outcome.

vain endeavor

Highlights the futility of the attempt, implying it was unlikely to succeed from the outset.

futile try

Emphasizes the pointlessness of the attempt, suggesting it was destined to fail.

botched attempt

Suggests the attempt failed due to incompetence or poor execution.

non-starter

An informal term meaning something that has no chance of succeeding or being implemented.

FAQs

How can I use "unsuccessful attempt" in a sentence?

You can use "unsuccessful attempt" to describe any effort that did not achieve its intended goal. For example, "His "unsuccessful attempt" to fix the car resulted in him calling a mechanic."

What are some alternatives to "unsuccessful attempt"?

Some alternatives include "failed attempt", "fruitless effort", or "abortive attempt", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "unsuccessful attempt" and "failed attempt"?

While both phrases indicate a lack of success, ""failed attempt"" might suggest a more decisive or complete failure, whereas "unsuccessful attempt" could imply a less absolute lack of success, or an attempt that simply didn't fully achieve its objectives.

Is it redundant to say "unsuccessful attempt"?

While all attempts inherently aim for success, using "unsuccessful attempt" clarifies that the effort did not achieve its intended outcome. It's not necessarily redundant, especially when emphasizing the lack of success is important for the context. However, consider if a more concise alternative like "failure" or "setback" might be more appropriate.