is not successful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not successful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation, project, or individual that has not achieved the desired outcome or goal. Example: "Despite their efforts, the marketing campaign is not successful in reaching its target audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is not successful enough for that.

The Economist

"It doesn't mean the case is not successful".

The New York Times - Health

"The NRA is not successful because of its money.

The Guardian

But the grouping sometimes is not successful due to the inconsistent delays.

Journal of Network and Computer Applications

Diluent swing is not successful in efficiently recovering acid from the organic phases employed.

Chemical Engineering Science

A well-designed gas processing plant is not successful until it is operating safely and profitably.

Handbook of Natural Gas Transmission and Processing Principles and Practices

If this is not successful, assisted reproduction with in vitro fertilization is often the next step.

Harvard University

If that is not successful, we won't completely disappear, but we'll be hard to see".

The New York Times

If that is not successful I will take redundancy, which is on good terms.

The Guardian - Money

Even where Martin is not successful, he is always worth reading.

The Guardian - Books

The book is not successful in everything it tries to do.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "is not successful" with a more descriptive alternative, such as "fails to achieve its objectives" or "does not meet the required standards", to enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid stacking negative constructions. Instead of saying "the initiative is not not successful", rephrase it positively as "the initiative is failing" for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not successful" functions as a predicate adjective describing the subject's failure to achieve a desired outcome. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. It often connects to a noun or noun phrase via a linking verb (is).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

28%

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is not successful" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the lack of a desired outcome or achievement. As indicated by Ludwig, it enjoys widespread use across diverse contexts, ranging from scientific literature to news articles. While versatile, it's crucial to provide sufficient context to clarify what specific goal or expectation was unmet. Consider synonyms like "fails to deliver the expected results" or "does not meet expectations" to add nuance. While "is not successful" is broadly applicable, avoid stacking negatives and opt for positive rephrasing whenever possible to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is ultimately unsuccessful

Adds an element of finality to the lack of success.

does not achieve its goals

Replaces "is not successful" with a more explicit statement about goal achievement.

fails to deliver the expected results

Focuses on the failure to produce the anticipated outcomes.

does not work as intended

Focuses on the malfunction or failure to operate as planned.

does not meet expectations

Emphasizes the unmet expectations aspect of the lack of success.

proves ineffective

Highlights the ineffectiveness or lack of impact.

lacks the desired outcome

Highlights the absence of the intended or wished-for result.

falls short of the mark

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the failure to reach a target.

turns out to be a failure

Emphasizes the failed outcome after a period of time.

is unproductive

Shifts the focus to the lack of productivity or positive results.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "is not successful"?

You can use alternatives like "fails to deliver the expected results", "does not meet expectations", or "proves ineffective" depending on the context.

How can I use "is not successful" in a sentence?

You can use "is not successful" to describe something that didn't achieve its goals. For example, "The marketing campaign is not successful in reaching its target audience."

Which is correct, "is not successful" or "isn't successful"?

Both "is not successful" and "isn't successful" are correct. "Isn't successful" is a contraction and is more informal, while "is not successful" is more formal.

What's the difference between "is not successful" and "is unsuccessful"?

"Is not successful" and "is unsuccessful" are largely interchangeable. However, "is unsuccessful" might imply a stronger sense of complete failure compared to "is not successful".