largely unsuccessful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "largely unsuccessful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort, project, or initiative that has not achieved its intended goals or outcomes to a significant extent. Example: "The campaign was largely unsuccessful, failing to engage the target audience as anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

In Tuscany they were largely unsuccessful.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They were largely unsuccessful in comparing notes.

The New York Times

Dilfer's stay in Tampa Bay has been largely unsuccessful.

The New York Times - Sports

So far, those efforts have been largely unsuccessful.

The New York Times

Two largely unsuccessful sessions took place in Beijing last year.

The New York Times

The narrator's attempts to reform people were largely unsuccessful.

The New Yorker

But all such efforts have proved largely unsuccessful.

The New York Times

Speculators contemplated draining the swamp but were largely unsuccessful.

The New York Times

He's nearly twenty now, and his defense has been largely unsuccessful.

The New Yorker

Rarely has a compilation of largely unsuccessful groups aroused so much ire.

The Guardian - Music

So far they have been largely unsuccessful, but we need to be ever vigilant".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "largely unsuccessful", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific goals or objectives were not met. Be specific about the area where the lack of success occurred.

Common error

Avoid using "largely unsuccessful" when the effort achieved minor successes or partial progress. Instead, use more nuanced language to reflect the mixed results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "largely unsuccessful" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun (often an effort, attempt, or project) as having failed to achieve its intended purpose to a significant degree. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is both grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "largely unsuccessful" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to describe efforts or initiatives that have not achieved their intended goals. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is essential to consider the context when using this phrase to ensure accurate reflection of the outcome. Its versatility allows for application across diverse contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedic writings. When using this phrase, clarify the specifics regarding objectives not achieved and consider alternatives like "mostly ineffective" or "generally unproductive" for subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mostly ineffective

Focuses on the lack of effectiveness rather than complete failure.

generally unproductive

Emphasizes the lack of output or results.

substantially failed

Highlights the degree of failure in a more direct manner.

largely in vain

Implies that efforts were made but did not yield the desired outcome.

primarily fruitless

Stresses the lack of positive results or benefits.

markedly deficient

Indicates a significant shortcoming or inadequacy.

considerably flawed

Points out significant imperfections or weaknesses.

significantly wanting

Highlights a notable lack or deficiency.

predominantly deficient

Focuses on the primary characteristic of being deficient.

mostly abortive

Suggests an incomplete or prematurely terminated attempt.

FAQs

How can I use "largely unsuccessful" in a sentence?

You can use "largely unsuccessful" to describe efforts, projects, or initiatives that did not achieve their intended goals to a significant extent. For example, "The marketing campaign was "largely unsuccessful" in reaching its target audience."

What are some alternatives to "largely unsuccessful"?

Alternatives include "mostly ineffective", "generally unproductive", or "substantially failed" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "completely unsuccessful" instead of "largely unsuccessful"?

While "completely unsuccessful" is grammatically correct, it implies a total failure. "Largely unsuccessful" suggests that there may have been some minor successes or partial progress, making it a more nuanced and potentially accurate description in some situations.

What's the difference between "largely unsuccessful" and "partially successful"?

"Largely unsuccessful" emphasizes the failure to achieve the main objectives, while "partially successful" highlights the elements that were achieved. The choice depends on whether you want to focus on what was lost or what was gained. In short if you have to choose between those two alternatives you should consider also the alternative "partially successful" to highlight what worked instead.