struggle unsuccessfully

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "struggle unsuccessfully" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort or attempt that does not achieve the desired outcome. Example: "Despite their best efforts, they continued to struggle unsuccessfully against the challenges they faced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The principal figures are set down in large explanatory details that struggle unsuccessfully to take shape as portraits.

The New York Times - Books

Servicewomen and veterans say they often struggle unsuccessfully to obtain health care and benefits related to sexual violence they endured while in uniform.

The New York Times

struggle unsuccessfully to take shape as portraits". "The fierce beauty of her prose both confronts readers with many breathtaking cruelties and carries us past them...

The New York Times - Books

A standard first-act flashback structure takes us back to when times were (sort of) better: the lads cobble and banter by day, sing barbershop by night, and struggle unsuccessfully to maintain even one romantic relationship.

The Guardian

Some people struggle unsuccessfully to keep emotional distance and expectations in check -- particularly during the inevitable tumult of separation and divorce".

Huffington Post

As the United States, European Union and international community struggle unsuccessfully to develop coherent and unified responses to multiple crises, thousands lose their lives annually in perilous journeys across the Mediterranean (where 5,600 have died in less than two years), the US-Mexico border, the Andaman Sea, the Sahara desert, and elsewhere.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Mr. Weinstein struggled unsuccessfully to turn the defunct Bond clothing store in Times Square into a club.

The New York Times

He left, and when his savings ran out he struggled unsuccessfully to find a new job.

The New York Times

This is the goal that the technique known as Electronic Data Interchange has struggled, unsuccessfully, to achieve for years.

The Economist

But after struggling unsuccessfully to think of an example, they provided the diagramed deal from the final session.

The New York Times

Born to an impoverished gentry family, Prus was orphaned early in life and struggled unsuccessfully to complete his education.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "struggle unsuccessfully" to emphasize both the effort and the lack of a positive outcome. It is particularly effective when you want to highlight the contrast between the attempt and the result.

Common error

Avoid using "struggle unsuccessfully" when the effort was minimal or half-hearted. This phrase implies a genuine attempt, so reserve it for situations where significant effort was clearly expended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggle unsuccessfully" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action was performed. It indicates an effort or attempt that does not achieve the desired outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "struggle unsuccessfully" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to describe an unsuccessful effort. Ludwig AI validates this and provides examples from reliable sources indicating its common use in news, encyclopedias and science contexts. While not extremely common, it effectively conveys both the exertion and the lack of success. Consider alternative phrases like "fail to achieve" or "strive in vain" to diversify your writing, but use "struggle unsuccessfully" when you wish to emphasize the contrast between effort and outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fail to achieve

Focuses on the lack of attainment rather than the effort.

strive in vain

Emphasizes the futility of the effort, often implying a lack of success despite significant exertion.

endeavor without success

A more formal way to express the lack of positive outcome from an attempt.

try and fail

A more direct and simple way to state the attempt and subsequent failure.

make no headway

Indicates a lack of progress despite effort.

be unable to manage

Highlights the inability to handle a situation, leading to failure.

not succeed

A basic and straightforward expression of failure.

fall short

Implies a failure to reach a required standard or target.

labor in futility

Stresses the unproductive and pointless nature of the work.

meet with failure

A formal way of saying that an attempt ended unsuccessfully.

FAQs

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

You can use "struggle unsuccessfully" to describe someone's effort that did not achieve a desired outcome. For example: "Despite their best efforts, they continued to struggle unsuccessfully against the challenges they faced."

What are some alternatives to "struggle unsuccessfully"?

You can use alternatives like "fail to achieve", "strive in vain", or "endeavor without success" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use "struggle unsuccessfully"?

While "struggle" inherently implies difficulty, adding "unsuccessfully" emphasizes the lack of positive outcome. It is not necessarily redundant if you want to highlight the contrast between effort and result.

What's the difference between "struggle unsuccessfully" and "fail"?

"Fail" simply indicates a lack of success. "Struggle unsuccessfully" highlights the effort and difficulty involved before the failure, adding a layer of meaning that "fail" alone does not convey.