could be unsuccessful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be unsuccessful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility of failure in a particular situation or endeavor. Example: "While we have high hopes for the project, it could be unsuccessful if we don't secure enough funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"The next 10 cases could be unsuccessful, of course," Dr. Tworetzky said.

The New York Times

A man could be unsuccessful and the next day someone else hires him and he gets another chance.

The New York Times

These new generation of services are often characterized by high dynamism and untrustworthiness: existing technologies for managing and applying data privacy policies could be unsuccessful when dealing with this kind of contexts, as they could require too many resources, degrade the data quality to an unacceptable level, be too pervasive for data sources or data requestors.

Computer Standards & Interfaces

Similarly, biopsy procedures could be unsuccessful in obese patients where imaging of the kidneys is difficult [ 15].

Biological Procedures Online

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The scheduling of repeat calls was not controlled by advisors; the system required that advisors made at least three attempts to contact participants before their attempt could be deemed unsuccessful, and where necessary quitline staff had ethical approval for leaving messages on participants' answering machines.

British Medical Journal

Pink acknowledges that extrinsic motivators can be effective for certain forms of rote learning, but suggests that applying them beyond rudimentary concepts will not only be unsuccessful, but could be counterproductive as well.

The New Yorker

"I couldn't let that opportunity be unsuccessful".

Science Magazine

The PAR and MPI scores are useful in identifying patients in whom CPR may be unsuccessful and could additionally provide useful information to physicians and patients involved with decisions about do-not-attempt-resuscitation orders.

Critical Care

Even with all the resources at her disposal, this could have gone differently -- and she could have been unsuccessful in her attempt to conceive.

Huffington Post

Even more, the "diplomatic tsunami" that could face Israel should the president be unsuccessful in navigating the peace process out of its current malaise will be on his watch, during an election season, in which 63percentt of Americans sympathize with Israel.

Huffington Post

Way to Be Unsuccessful.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine this phrase with a clear explanation of why something might be unsuccessful. Provide context or contributing factors to enhance the impact of your message.

Common error

Avoid relying on "could be unsuccessful" too frequently, as it can create a passive tone. Sometimes, a more direct and active construction (e.g., "might fail", "may not succeed") adds impact and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be unsuccessful" functions as a qualifying adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by expressing a potential or conditional state of failure. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, indicating it's a valid expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could be unsuccessful" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate the possibility of failure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid phrase. It is suitable for various contexts, especially news, scientific, and business writing, maintaining a neutral tone. To enhance your writing, consider using synonyms such as "may fail" or "might not succeed" for variety and ensure you provide adequate context to explain potential reasons for the lack of success. While widely accepted, overuse of passive voice should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might not succeed

Replaces "could be" with "might not", softening the possibility of failure.

may not work

Offers a simpler, more direct way to express the possibility of failure.

may prove fruitless

Substitutes "unsuccessful" with "fruitless", emphasizing a lack of positive results.

may not pan out

Uses the idiom "pan out" to indicate a lack of success or a failure to achieve the desired outcome.

could fall short

Replaces "unsuccessful" with "fall short", highlighting a failure to reach a specific target or goal.

might end in failure

Emphasizes the potential for a complete lack of success or a negative outcome.

may turn out badly

Focuses on the possibility of an undesirable or negative result.

could backfire

Suggests that an action might have unintended and negative consequences.

might be in vain

Indicates that efforts might be futile or without purpose.

might prove abortive

Replaces "unsuccessful" with "abortive", implying a premature ending or failure to fully develop.

FAQs

How can I use "could be unsuccessful" in a sentence?

You can use "could be unsuccessful" to express a possibility of failure. For example, "While the new strategy has potential, it "could be unsuccessful" if market conditions change unexpectedly."

What are some alternatives to "could be unsuccessful"?

Alternatives include "may fail", "might not succeed", or "may prove fruitless", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "could be unsuccessful" or "might be unsuccessful"?

Both "could be unsuccessful" and "might be unsuccessful" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you want to convey. "Could" suggests a slightly higher degree of possibility than "might".

How formal is the phrase "could be unsuccessful"?

The phrase "could be unsuccessful" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts. It's appropriate for academic writing, business reports, and news articles. In very informal settings, you might opt for a more direct phrase like "may not work".