attempted unsuccessfully

USAGE SUMMARY

"attempted unsuccessfully" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that someone or something made an effort to do something but did not succeed. For example: "He attempted to fix the engine unsuccessfully, so he had to take it to a mechanic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Both attempted – unsuccessfully - to impugn its accuracy.

The Guardian - Opinion

He attempted, unsuccessfully, to drive home.

The Guardian

Shortly afterwards, he attempted – unsuccessfully – to drown himself.

The Guardian - Books

Shields later attempted, unsuccessfully, to suppress the picture.

The Guardian - Arts

He had also attempted, unsuccessfully, to secure the sponsorship of a sports-drink company.

The New Yorker

In his later work, he attempted — unsuccessfully, in Peche's view — to develop a more charming style.

The New Yorker

He attempted, unsuccessfully, to keep her out of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The New Yorker

In winter 57 56 Cicero attempted unsuccessfully to estrange Pompey from Caesar.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Boleslav I attempted, unsuccessfully, to loosen the ties Wenceslas had made with the Saxon dynasty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Military extremists attempted unsuccessfully to prevent the radio broadcast of the emperor's announcement to the nation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He may hope to do what the Soviet occupiers of Afghanistan attempted unsuccessfully to entrench a "loyal" administration while the army pulls back.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attempted unsuccessfully" to clearly convey that an effort was made but did not achieve the desired outcome. This phrase is effective when emphasizing both the attempt and the failure.

Common error

While "attempted unsuccessfully" is acceptable, consider alternatives like "failed in the attempt" or "was unsuccessful" to avoid sounding repetitive, especially in formal writing. Varying your phrasing can enhance readability and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempted unsuccessfully" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the manner in which an action was performed. As Ludwig AI underlines, it specifies that an action was tried but did not achieve the desired outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

24%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempted unsuccessfully" is a grammatically correct and very common adverbial phrase used to indicate that an effort was made but did not achieve the intended result. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a usable phrase in written English to emphasize both the attempt and the failure. While its register is generally neutral, more formal contexts might benefit from alternative phrasings. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Wiki sources, and less commonly in Science or Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, consider varying your word choice to avoid sounding repetitive, especially in more extended pieces of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tried without success

Replaces "attempted" with "tried" and "unsuccessfully" with "without success", maintaining the core meaning of a failed effort.

failed in the attempt

Substitutes the adverb with a verb construction, focusing on the failure of the attempt itself.

was unsuccessful in the endeavor

Replaces "attempted" with "was unsuccessful" and uses "endeavor" as a synonym for "attempt", adding a slightly more formal tone.

strove but did not succeed

Uses "strove" to convey effort and explicitly states the lack of success, altering the sentence structure.

made an unsuccessful effort

Turns the initial verb into a noun phrase, emphasizing the effort's lack of success.

sought without result

Employs "sought" as a more sophisticated synonym for "attempted" and replaces "unsuccessfully" with "without result", simplifying the phrase.

undertook without achieving the goal

Replaces "attempted" with a more formal term "undertook" and specifies the failure in terms of not achieving the intended goal.

endeavored but failed to accomplish

Uses "endeavored" as a synonym for "attempted" and emphasizes the failure to accomplish the intended outcome.

labored in vain

Uses a more figurative expression to convey the futility of the effort, indicating that the work was ultimately unproductive.

tried and failed

Simplifies the phrase to its most basic components, focusing on the act of trying and the subsequent failure.

FAQs

What does "attempted unsuccessfully" mean?

The phrase "attempted unsuccessfully" means that someone tried to do something, but they were not successful in their effort. It emphasizes both the attempt and the failure to achieve the desired outcome.

How can I use "attempted unsuccessfully" in a sentence?

You can use "attempted unsuccessfully" to describe a situation where an effort was made but did not succeed. For example: "The team "attempted unsuccessfully" to reach the summit due to the severe weather conditions."

What are some alternatives to "attempted unsuccessfully"?

Some alternatives to "attempted unsuccessfully" include "tried without success", "failed in the attempt", or "was unsuccessful". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is "attempted unsuccessfully" formal or informal?

"Attempted unsuccessfully" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal writing, you might consider using alternatives like "was unsuccessful in the endeavor" or "endeavored but failed to accomplish" to enhance formality.