seek without success

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seek without success" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an attempt to find or obtain something that ultimately does not yield any results. Example: "Despite their efforts to locate the missing documents, they continued to seek without success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

China envies our soft power, too, which they have sought without success to buy or manufacture.

The Guardian

For years, Smith, chairman of the House Science Committee, has sought without success to achieve similar restrictions through legislation.

The Washington Post

He said that he had repeatedly sought, without success, to convince the Bush Administration that it was possible to draw Syria away from Iran.

The New Yorker

Ms. Miller moved with the girl to Virginia, became a born-again Christian, denounced homosexuality and sought without success to end Ms. Jenkins's court-mandated visiting rights.

The New York Times

Last year, Bertelsmann, the parent of BMG, invested in Napster, the hobbled peer-to-peer music site that has sought without success to attract other major label partners.

The New York Times

The Bharatiya Janata Party's state leaders in Uttar Pradesh sought without success to hitch themselves to the popular policies of the national party.

The New York Times

And yet, like a silent ghost, she shadows the country's military leaders, who have sought without success to exorcise her with propaganda and repression.

The New York Times

They have already sought, without success, to resolve the deadlock by offering both sides a broader set of take-it-or-leave-it proposals.

The New York Times

When British Airways started its own low-cost carrier, Go Airlines, two years ago, Mr. Haji-Ioannou went to court seeking, without success, to ground it.

The New York Times

It's also sought, without success, what Obama in 2012 called a "negotiated peace" with the Taliban to end the Afghanistan war.

The Guardian

Nearly two dozen members of Congress recently signed a petition that sought, without success, to prompt a last-minute reprieve from President Clinton.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seek without success" to clearly indicate an active effort to find or obtain something that ultimately fails, highlighting both the attempt and the lack of outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "seek without success" when there was no genuine attempt made. This phrase implies an active pursuit, not a passive desire.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek without success" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an action (seeking) that does not achieve its intended outcome. It modifies a verb, adding the information that the action was not successful, creating a sense of futility. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seek without success" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to express an unsuccessful attempt to find or achieve something. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's important to recognize its nuance. Alternatives like "search in vain" or "attempted unsuccessfully" can offer subtle variations in meaning. Given the absence of direct examples in the provided data, understanding the context is crucial for effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

search in vain

Emphasizes the futility and lack of result in the search.

attempted unsuccessfully

Focuses on the failed attempt rather than the search itself.

tried without achieving

Highlights the lack of achievement despite effort.

looked for without finding

Specifically refers to a search that did not yield a discovery.

pursued to no avail

Indicates that the pursuit was fruitless and ineffective.

endeavored without reward

Highlights the absence of a positive outcome or benefit.

strove without accomplishing

Focuses on the effort made but the ultimate failure to accomplish the goal.

aimed for but missed

Suggests an attempt to reach a target that was not hit.

aspired unsuccessfully

Emphasizes the failure to reach a desired position or goal.

sought fruitlessly

Highlights the lack of positive results from the seeking effort.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "seek without success" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "pursued to no avail" or "endeavored unsuccessfully", which convey the same meaning with a more sophisticated vocabulary.

Is it grammatically correct to say "seek without success"?

Yes, "seek without success" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe an unsuccessful attempt to find or achieve something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

What is a simple alternative to "seek without success"?

A simpler alternative is "tried and failed" or "attempted unsuccessfully", which are more direct and easier to understand.

What does "seek without success" imply about the effort made?

The phrase implies that a deliberate and active effort was made to find or achieve something, but the attempt did not yield the desired results. This distinguishes it from simply not finding something without actively looking.