not particularly successful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not particularly successful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that did not achieve a high level of success or effectiveness. Example: "The marketing campaign was not particularly successful, leading to a reevaluation of our strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although not particularly successful on the Western Front, Allied cavalry did have some success in the Middle Eastern theatre, possibly because they faced a weaker and less technologically advanced enemy.

Wikipedia

He added: "They were not particularly successful".

The New York Times

He was not particularly successful in eluding the police.

The New York Times - Books

Although some were fired, they were not particularly successful.

Britannica

It was slower than FORTRAN and not particularly successful.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Analysis of statistical data at the macro-level suggests that this attempt was not particularly successful.

Research Policy

Although Mr. Bush was not particularly successful in the oil business, Mr. Evans was.

The New York Times

In 1930, she married Joseph Lauter, a not particularly successful entrepreneur.

The New Yorker

He haunted cafes, published literary criticism as well as a not particularly successful novel.

The Guardian

Very successful critically, they were not particularly successful by commercial standards.

The New York Times

Bush is a diligent, but not particularly successful Republican politician, with no experience in the field of intelligence.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not particularly successful", consider the specific context and whether a more precise adjective would be more informative. For example, instead of "not particularly successful", you might say "somewhat disappointing" or "largely ineffective".

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "not particularly successful" without providing specific details about why something was unsuccessful. Explain the factors that contributed to the lack of success to provide a clearer picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not particularly successful" functions as an adjectival modifier, specifically an intensifier combined with an adjective. It describes a noun by indicating a degree of lack of success. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable way to express that something didn't achieve a high level of success.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

26%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not particularly successful" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe something lacking significant achievement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It serves to provide a nuanced assessment, indicating a moderate degree of failure or a shortfall in expectations. While the phrase is versatile, consider using more specific alternatives for enhanced clarity. Common contexts include News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science and the phrase is deemed to be of Neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat unsuccessful

Replaces "particularly" with "somewhat", indicating a slightly weaker degree of failure.

moderately unsuccessful

Substitutes "particularly" with "moderately", suggesting a limited degree of success.

not notably successful

Replaces "particularly" with "notably", emphasizing a lack of remarkable achievement.

less than successful

Uses a comparative structure to indicate a deficiency in success.

did not thrive

Employs a more figurative expression to convey a lack of flourishing or progress.

met with limited success

Uses a different grammatical structure to express restricted achievement.

achieved modest results

Focuses on the results obtained, portraying them as unremarkable.

failed to excel

Highlights a failure to surpass expectations or perform exceptionally.

struggled to succeed

Indicates difficulty and effort in achieving success, implying a less than satisfactory outcome.

fell short of expectations

Focuses on the discrepancy between anticipated and actual results.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "not particularly successful" to sound more formal?

In formal writing, you could use phrases like "moderately unsuccessful", "less than successful", or "met with limited success" to maintain a professional tone.

What are some alternatives to "not particularly successful" in casual conversation?

For casual contexts, consider using expressions such as "somewhat unsuccessful", "didn't really work out", or "failed to excel depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "not particularly successful" grammatically correct?

Yes, "not particularly successful" is grammatically correct. It uses the adverb "particularly" to modify the adjective "successful", indicating a lack of significant success.

What's the difference between "not particularly successful" and "not very successful"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "not particularly successful" might suggest a slightly more nuanced or specific lack of success compared to the more general "not very successful". The choice depends on the desired level of emphasis and formality.