not really successful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not really successful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or effort that did not achieve the desired level of success or effectiveness. Example: "The marketing campaign was not really successful in reaching its target audience, leading to lower sales than expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

That was not really successful.

The New York Times

Despite finding a permanent home at the Palais de Chaillot in 1937, the TNP was not really successful until some years after World War II.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yes, we've got the No. 1 new show now, but you're not really successful until you've done it for a lot longer than we've been doing it".

The New York Times - Arts

They have been on my website for a while, and I sold a few in London bookshops, but it was not really successful as they were all hand-made and I didn't have a video presenting it.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The "Petrushka" that followed — with its use of puppets, recorded film, live video, placards and physical participation by orchestra members — wasn't really successful as storytelling, and yet, full of theatrical ideas, it rightly held its audience.

The New York Times - Arts

"Value and profitability are the measurements you make, because otherwise you aren't really successful," he says.

Forbes

He's a representative of Goldfields Nullabor Rangelands Biosecurity Alliance a group responsible for small-scale culls of camels encroaching onto pastoral land in WA. "The camel shoot wasn't really successful, it was never properly completed," Ross told VICE.

Vice

And the thing that I mean about knowing where someone was mentally--were they upset, were they dealing with some type of love lost, were they dealing with trying to be an artist and not really being successful and how do you live until you get to the point where you are successful--all of these things are just as important to me as teaching someone how to mic a drum set.

Huffington Post

The third phase was one of economic catch-up, which, unlike the first two phases, has not really been successful in Hungary, which today may even be falling back.

The Guardian - Opinion

But these services have not really been successful until now.

TechCrunch

5) Are you just disgruntled because you're not really a successful political reporter?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not really successful", consider the degree of failure you want to convey. Alternatives like "somewhat unsuccessful" or "largely unsuccessful" can provide more nuance.

Common error

While acceptable in many contexts, "not really successful" can sound informal. In formal reports or academic papers, opt for phrases like "did not achieve significant results" or "proved ineffective" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not really successful" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, action, or situation. It describes the extent to which something has achieved its intended outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not really successful" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe something that hasn't achieved its goals completely. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While it's considered neutral to informal, with a leaning towards informality. It is very common to encounter it in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science contexts. When aiming for a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "somewhat unsuccessful" or "failed to achieve significant results". Remember to tailor your choice of words to match the specific context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat unsuccessful

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

not particularly successful

Substitutes "really" with "particularly", offering a more formal tone.

not entirely successful

Replaces "really" with "entirely", suggesting a more complete lack of success.

less than successful

Uses a comparative structure to describe the lack of success.

largely unsuccessful

Indicates a significant portion of the effort was not successful.

failed to achieve significant results

Focuses on the lack of substantial outcomes.

did not meet expectations

Highlights the discrepancy between anticipated and actual results.

met with limited success

Emphasizes the small degree of achievement.

fell short of the mark

Uses a metaphorical expression to describe the failure to reach a target.

proved ineffective

Indicates the method or approach did not produce the desired effect.

FAQs

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

You can use "not really successful" to describe an attempt or project that didn't fully achieve its goals. For example: "The initial marketing campaign was "not really successful" in attracting new customers."

What are some alternatives to "not really successful"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "somewhat unsuccessful", "not particularly successful", or "failed to achieve significant results".

Is it better to say "not very successful" or "not really successful"?

Both "not very successful" and "not really successful" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Not really successful" is slightly more informal.

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

"Unsuccessful" is a more direct and absolute term, implying a complete lack of success. "Not really successful" suggests a lesser degree of failure or a lack of complete success.