both were unsuccessful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both were unsuccessful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that two subjects or entities did not achieve their intended goals or outcomes. Example: "Despite their best efforts, both were unsuccessful in securing funding for their project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Both were unsuccessful in securing nominations.

Wikipedia

Critics panned Glitter, as well as its accompanying soundtrack; both were unsuccessful commercially.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Both pursuits were unsuccessful.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But both trips were unsuccessful.

The New York Times

Attempts to reach both families were unsuccessful.

The New York Times

Efforts to reach officials at both factories were unsuccessful yesterday.

The New York Times

Both attacks were unsuccessful," Crerar and Elgot wrote.

The Washington Post

Both attempts were unsuccessful and left them unimpressed with the impersonal nature of in vitro fertilization treatment in China.

The New York Times

The officers tried to resuscitate Ms. Gotbaum, as did emergency workers from the Fire Department, but both attempts were unsuccessful, Sergeant Hill said.

The New York Times

Both conventions were unsuccessful.

Wikipedia

Both efforts were unsuccessful.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "both were unsuccessful", ensure that the context clearly specifies the two entities or attempts being referred to. Avoid ambiguity by providing sufficient context.

Common error

A common mistake is not clearly defining what "both" refers to, leading to confusion. Always ensure the subjects of the sentence are explicitly stated or easily inferred from the preceding context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both were unsuccessful" functions as a predicate, typically following a subject that refers to two entities or attempts. It asserts a negative outcome for both of these subjects. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "both were unsuccessful" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for conveying that two specific attempts or entities did not achieve their desired outcomes. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its frequency is relatively rare. The phrase finds application across diverse contexts, including news, encyclopedias, science and general writing. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the subjects being referred to are explicitly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "neither succeeded" or "both failed" offer similar meanings but may vary in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neither succeeded

This alternative uses a negative construction to convey that neither of the two attempts achieved success.

both failed

A more direct and concise way of saying that both attempts did not succeed.

neither attempt was fruitful

Replaces "unsuccessful" with "fruitful" to suggest a lack of positive results or outcomes.

both efforts proved futile

Uses "futile" to emphasize the pointlessness or ineffectiveness of the efforts.

neither attained the desired outcome

Focuses on the lack of achievement of a specific objective.

both were in vain

Emphasizes the wasted effort or lack of result from both attempts.

both fell short

Indicates that both attempts did not reach the required standard or goal.

neither panned out

An idiomatic expression meaning that neither attempt produced a positive result or worked out as planned.

both proved abortive

Suggests the attempts were cut short or did not fully develop, leading to failure.

neither came to fruition

Highlights the lack of realization or completion of the intended goals.

FAQs

How to use "both were unsuccessful" in a sentence?

Use "both were unsuccessful" to indicate that two specific attempts, efforts, or entities did not achieve the desired outcome. For example: "The initial attempts to negotiate a settlement failed, and "both were unsuccessful"."

What can I say instead of "both were unsuccessful"?

You can use alternatives like "neither succeeded", "both failed", or "neither attempt was fruitful" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "both were unsuccessful" or "both failed"?

"Both were unsuccessful" is generally considered more formal than "both failed". The choice depends on the formality of your writing.

What's the difference between "both were unsuccessful" and "neither was successful"?

"Both were unsuccessful" directly states that two specific attempts failed. "Neither was successful" implies that out of a possible set, none achieved success. They can often be used interchangeably, but the nuance depends on the context.