neither successful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "neither successful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing outcomes or results that did not achieve success in any of the mentioned scenarios. Example: "The project was neither successful in meeting its goals nor in staying within budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Oliver has had two visits to a beautiful residential home, neither successful," she says.

The Guardian

Although pastoralists have a right to development, and HRBA to development is the means for human development, the successive Ethiopian governments have been advancing development at the cost of pastoralists, which has been neither successful in developing the economy nor in 'modernizing' the pastoralists.

Pastoralism

But since healthcare reform legislation is currently in limbo -- neither successful nor defeated -- we have to conduct a "pre- post-mortem instead.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Neither were successful and he returned to independent film-making.

The Guardian - Film

Neither was successful, though dad came close; he was pipped at the post by Nick Greiner.

The Guardian - Opinion

By most measures, his career was neither very successful, important, nor admirable.

Independent

Only the English and the Russians, neither terribly successful football migrants, play overwhelmingly at home in their rich domestic leagues.

The Guardian - Sport

The military has conducted two previous campaigns against militants in the area, but neither were successful, in part because it pulled back before completing the job.

The New York Times

The selective and censored TV coverage obscures a military reality that has been neither as successful nor as difficult as it has seemed.

The Guardian

And though Ms. Ebersole and Ms. Barrie both provide some appealing spins on their barbed dialogue, neither is successful in building bridges among her character's abrupt changes in mood and tone.

The New York Times

Not everything works; the spiky if slight title track appears in two different versions, neither entirely successful, and "She's Always Dancing" sounds like a half-remembered "Like a Hurricane".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "neither successful", ensure that the context clearly establishes two distinct attempts or scenarios that have both failed. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "neither successful" when referring to more than two options or situations. 'Neither' inherently implies a choice between two, so using it in a broader context can lead to confusion. Use alternatives like 'none were successful' or 'none of them succeeded' for larger sets.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "neither successful" functions as a conjunction phrase that indicates a lack of success in two distinct instances or attempts. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "neither successful" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe the lack of success in two separate attempts or scenarios. Ludwig AI validates its appropriateness in written English. While it's suitable for various contexts, including news, scientific writing, and general communication, it's essential to ensure the context clearly indicates two distinct instances to avoid ambiguity. When referring to more than two instances, consider using alternatives like "none successful" or "no one was successful". Alternatives like "unsuccessful in both cases", "not successful in either instance", or "both were unsuccessful" can also enhance clarity or formality, depending on the writing context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsuccessful in both cases

Replaces "neither successful" with a more explicit reference to two distinct situations or attempts.

not successful in either instance

Emphasizes the lack of success in separate occurrences or instances.

failed in both attempts

Highlights the failure to achieve a desired outcome through effort.

both were unsuccessful

Provides a direct statement that two distinct entities or efforts did not achieve success.

in both situations, it didn't work

Replaces "successful" with the idiomatic "it didn't work", making it less formal.

proved fruitless in both endeavors

Uses more formal and literary language to describe the lack of success.

came to nothing in both instances

Emphasizes that the efforts yielded no tangible results or benefits.

both efforts were in vain

Conveys a sense of futility and wasted effort in both attempts.

neither achieved the desired outcome

Focuses on the failure to reach a specific goal in either scenario.

were unavailing in both cases

Uses more archaic language to describe the lack of effectiveness in both scenarios.

FAQs

How can I use "neither successful" in a sentence?

You can use "neither successful" to describe two attempts or options that both failed. For example: "The company tried two marketing strategies, but "neither successful"."

What are some alternatives to saying "neither successful"?

Alternatives include "unsuccessful in both cases", "not successful in either instance", or "both were unsuccessful".

Is it grammatically correct to say "neither was successful"?

Yes, "neither was successful" is grammatically correct. "Neither" can be singular, referring to each of two options individually.

When should I use "neither successful" versus "none successful"?

"Neither successful" is appropriate when referring to exactly two options or attempts. "None successful" is used when referring to three or more options.