attempted without success

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempted without success" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort made to achieve something that ultimately did not succeed. Example: "Despite numerous attempts to fix the issue, the team attempted without success to restore the system to its previous state."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

In 1865 he attempted without success to dissolve the American Anti-Slavery Society and then resigned.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Mondale-Ferraro ticket attempted, without success, to find an issue that would resonate with voters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Shortly thereafter he attempted, without success, to land in England during an abortive Jacobite rebellion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1649 Cottington attempted, without success, to obtain Spanish aid for the Royalist cause.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She subsequently attempted, without success, to gain the crowns of Naples and of Poland.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 281 Cineas attempted, without success, to dissuade Pyrrhus from invading Italy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Gurung said Nepal's government had been attempting, without success, to contact Fifa and its sponsors to ask them to be more robust with Qatar.

The Guardian

But, resentful of the restrictions of a supposedly amateur sport, he criticised the way the US team had handled his finances, and was soon attempting – without success – to launch a professional racing circuit.

The Guardian - Sport

They were armed with material gathered during the trial's discovery process -- even attempting without success to gain access to his personnel files -- as they amassed personal information the lawyers hoped would discredit Mr. McGeady's testimony.

The New York Times

The stakes were particularly high in the state for Mr. Pataki and the state Republican Party, which had orchestrated a tough campaign against Mr. McCain, first attempting, without success, to keep Mr. McCain off the New York ballot, and then leading attacks on Mr. McCain that many Republicans, including Mr. Giuliani, a candidate for the United States Senate, described as overly negative.

The New York Times

Howe chose not to follow, instead attempting without success to draw Washington out.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attempted without success" to clearly indicate that an effort was made, but the desired result was not achieved. This phrase is suitable for formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "attempted without success" in contexts where the lack of success is already implied. For example, saying "He attempted to fly without wings without success" is redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempted without success" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an action undertaken that did not achieve its intended outcome. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

28%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempted without success" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe an action that was tried but did not achieve the desired result. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and widely used. It appears across various contexts, including news, encyclopedias and scientific publications, conveying a neutral tone. When writing, it is important to avoid redundancy and make sure that the use of this phrase adds meaningful emphasis to the statement. Alternative phrases such as "tried unsuccessfully" or "failed to achieve" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tried unsuccessfully

Focuses on the act of trying, emphasizing the lack of success.

failed to achieve

Highlights the failure to reach a specific goal.

made an unsuccessful attempt

Emphasizes the attempt itself, but also its lack of success.

tried in vain

Conveys a sense of futility or hopelessness in the attempt.

proved abortive

More formal, suggesting the attempt was cut short or didn't fully develop.

came to nothing

Highlights that the effort yielded no results.

was unable to

Focuses on the inability to accomplish something.

did not succeed

A straightforward way of stating the lack of success.

was thwarted

Suggests an external force prevented success.

fell flat

Implies the attempt was unsuccessful and disappointing.

FAQs

How can I use "attempted without success" in a sentence?

You can use "attempted without success" to indicate that an effort was made, but the desired result was not achieved. For example: "The rescue team "attempted without success" to reach the stranded hikers before nightfall."

What are some alternatives to "attempted without success"?

Alternatives include "tried unsuccessfully", "failed to achieve", or "tried in vain", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "attempted without success"?

In some cases, it might be redundant if the failure is already implied. However, it can be useful for emphasis or clarity, especially when you want to highlight that an effort was made despite the lack of a positive outcome.

What is the difference between "attempted without success" and "failed"?

"Failed" simply states that something did not succeed. "Attempted without success" emphasizes that an attempt was made before the failure occurred. For example, "attempted without success" to negotiate a peace treaty, but ultimately failed.