strove unsuccessfully

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strove unsuccessfully" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort or attempt that did not achieve the desired outcome. Example: "Despite their best efforts, they strove unsuccessfully to meet the project deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Unlike most other subordinationists, Whiston accepted the "Arian" label (though preferring "Eusebian" or simply "Christian", and strove (unsuccessfully) to revive what he considered "primitive Christianity" outside the confines of Anglicanism.

SEP

Edward strove, unsuccessfully, to restore the feudal army and strengthen local government institutions by compelling minor landowners to assume the duties of knighthood.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In his boyhood he saw the Macedonian kingdom disintegrating while his elder brothers Alexander II and Perdiccas III, who each reigned for a few years, strove unsuccessfully against insubordination of their regional vassal princes, intervention of the strong Greek city Thebes, and invasion by the Illyrians of the northwest frontier.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Apparently unsuccessfully.

The New Yorker

Murray challenged unsuccessfully.

The New York Times

He challenges unsuccessfully.

The New York Times

I've tried, but unsuccessfully.

The New York Times

(So far unsuccessfully, for the most part).

The New York Times - Magazine

Far too many strove to live the life of a hidalgo.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Erickson also campaigned for buildings that strove to maintain a human scale.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Zedillo, mindful of that history, strove to make the economy more institutional than individual.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "strove unsuccessfully", ensure that the context clearly establishes the goal that was not achieved. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the importance of the effort when using "strove unsuccessfully". Ensure that the scale of the effort aligns with the actual outcome, maintaining credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strove unsuccessfully" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action (striving) that did not achieve its intended outcome. Ludwig examples show it describing efforts in various fields, from historical endeavors to personal attempts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "strove unsuccessfully" is a grammatically correct way to express that an effort was made but did not achieve the desired outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Although the phrase is relatively rare, it appears in various contexts, including encyclopedias, news media, and scientific sources, indicating a formal or neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines the goal that was not met to enhance clarity. Alternatives such as "tried but failed" or "endeavored in vain" may be used depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strove with no success

Directly replaces "unsuccessfully" with "with no success".

tried but failed

Emphasizes the attempt and the subsequent lack of success.

attempted without success

Highlights the act of attempting and its fruitless result.

endeavored in vain

Uses more formal language to convey the futility of the effort.

made a futile effort

Focuses on the pointlessness of the attempt.

sought without result

Indicates a search or pursuit that did not yield the desired outcome.

labored fruitlessly

Suggests hard work that did not produce any positive results.

worked towards unsuccessfully

Highlights the effort invested in a specific goal that was not achieved.

pursued without attainment

Emphasizes the lack of achievement in a pursued goal.

aimed for but missed

Illustrates a specific target that was not reached.

FAQs

How can I use "strove unsuccessfully" in a sentence?

You can use "strove unsuccessfully" to indicate that someone tried hard to achieve something but did not succeed. For example, "Despite their efforts, they "strove unsuccessfully" to meet the deadline".

What are some alternatives to "strove unsuccessfully"?

Alternatives include "tried but failed", "attempted without success", or "endeavored in vain". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it more formal to say "strove unsuccessfully" or "tried but failed"?

"Strove unsuccessfully" is generally more formal than "tried but failed". The former uses a more elevated vocabulary, making it suitable for academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "strived unsuccessfully" and "strove unsuccessfully"?

"Strove" is the past tense of "strive". While "strived" is also a valid past tense form, "strove" is more commonly used and generally preferred, particularly in formal writing.