a unsuccessful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a unsuccessful" is not correct in written English.
The correct form is "an unsuccessful" because "unsuccessful" begins with a vowel sound. Example: "She was an unsuccessful candidate in the election."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It claimed to be from the Instagram project Notes to Strangers – new to me, I must confess – and confidently proclaimed: "Having a Plan B will make your Plan A unsuccessful".

The Guardian - Business

Fig. 2 a Unsuccessful scheduling cycle of DRAND (b) DRAND Grant procedure.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

A unsuccessful month on trial with Crystal Palace ended with him returning in the middle of August to Merseyside and his mum and dad's house.

BBC

La Cañada Flintridge and South Pasadena have already committed significant resources to the fight, filing a unsuccessful legal challenge against the use of $780 million in earmarked Measure R funds for tunnel studies or construction.

Los Angeles Times

n S-Tx and n U-Tx: number of patients with a successful Tx and a unsuccessful Tx respectively.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

However, validation of this prediction model in another study population by Brun et al. showed that 56% of patients who were thought to have debulking until less than 1 cm of tumour residual underwent a unsuccessful resection [ 18].

BMC Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The opposite could be a sign of an unsuccessful implant, and actions should be taken accordingly.

International Journal of Implant Dentistry

To report a case of pelvic tuberculosis, presenting a few months after an unsuccessful IVF cycle.

Fertility and Sterility

William Miller was an unsuccessful artist – an unsuccessful anything.

The Guardian - Books

In 2002, he made an unsuccessful bid as an independent for governor.

Princeton University

After an unsuccessful effort to negotiate a contract, the factory closed.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct article before a word. If the following word starts with a vowel sound, use "an"; otherwise, use "a". Therefore, avoid the phrase "a unsuccessful", and consider alternatives like "an unsuccessful" attempt.

Common error

A common mistake is using the article "a" before words that begin with a vowel sound. This error can be easily avoided by remembering to use "an" instead. Double-check your article usage, especially when writing quickly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a unsuccessful" is intended to act as an adjective modifying a noun, but it fails grammatically. According to Ludwig AI, the correct form is "an unsuccessful". It attempts to describe something that did not achieve the desired outcome or result.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a unsuccessful" appears in various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "an unsuccessful", as the article "an" is required before words beginning with a vowel sound. Alternative options include "a failed" or "an unproductive", maintaining clear and correct communication. Always remember that using correct grammar is crucial for clarity and credibility in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unsuccessful

Corrects the grammatical error by using "an" instead of "a" before the vowel sound.

a failed

Replaces "unsuccessful" with its direct synonym "failed", maintaining similar meaning.

an unproductive

Offers an alternative that focuses on the lack of positive outcome, slightly shifting the emphasis.

a fruitless

Suggests a lack of results despite effort, implying wasted effort.

a vain

Implies that the effort was ultimately worthless or without effect.

a thwarted

Indicates that something actively prevented the success.

an abortive

Emphasizes that the attempt was cut short or did not reach completion.

a losing

Highlights the outcome of defeat or failure.

a nonviable

Suggests that something was not capable of succeeding from the beginning.

a deficient

Focuses on the inadequacy or lack of something needed for success.

FAQs

Why is "a unsuccessful" grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "a unsuccessful" is incorrect because "unsuccessful" begins with a vowel sound. The correct article to use before a vowel sound is "an", making "an unsuccessful" the grammatically correct choice.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a unsuccessful"?

Since "a unsuccessful" is grammatically incorrect, alternatives include "an unsuccessful", "a failed", or "an unproductive" depending on the context you intend.

How does using the wrong article affect the clarity of my writing?

Using the wrong article, such as "a" before a vowel sound (like in "a unsuccessful"), disrupts the flow and can momentarily confuse the reader. Correct grammar improves clarity and credibility.

Is there a situation where "a unsuccessful" would be considered acceptable?

No, the phrase "a unsuccessful" is not considered acceptable in standard English. Always use "an unsuccessful" or rephrase to maintain grammatical correctness.