they were unsuccessful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were unsuccessful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone or a group did not achieve their intended goal or outcome. Example: "Despite their best efforts, they were unsuccessful in securing the funding they needed for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

"But they were unsuccessful".

The New York Times

They were unsuccessful in their request.

The New Yorker

They were unsuccessful, in fairly spectacular fashion.

The New York Times

In this case, they were unsuccessful".

The New York Times

"But they were unsuccessful". The vote, he said, would probably take place Wednesday as scheduled.

The New York Times

Since they were unsuccessful, we're now suddenly the only network that would 'stoop'?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

But they were unsuccessful and the pageant show went on.

HuffPost

They were unsuccessful with the mandate and withdrew from that responsibility.

Huffington Post

However, they were unsuccessful in predicting the expression of two experimentally proven AltORFs, AltPrP and ALEX.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

A few of the dock workers knew what kind of cargo the Mont-Blanc's was carrying, and tried to evacuate the waterfront, but they were unsuccessful.

Huffington Post

Many of these migrants aimed to develop land but they were unsuccessful in both Brazil and Argentina.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider context when choosing whether to use "they were unsuccessful" or a shorter alternative like "they failed", where the shorter is more direct, and the longer is more gentle.

Common error

Avoid using "they were unsuccessful" excessively in very casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "they failed" or "it didn't work" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were unsuccessful" functions as a declarative statement expressing a lack of success. It typically follows a subject (they) and a linking verb (were), with "unsuccessful" acting as a predicate adjective describing the subject's outcome. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Academia

7%

HuffPost

10%

Vice

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were unsuccessful" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the failure of a group or entity to achieve a desired outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is commonly found in news, wiki, and scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral to professional tone. While alternatives like "they failed" exist, the choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality. Understanding these nuances will enhance your writing precision and effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they did not succeed

Replaces "unsuccessful" with its direct antonym, maintaining the same structure.

they failed

A shorter, more direct way of saying "they were unsuccessful".

their efforts were in vain

Emphasizes the futility of their attempts.

they didn't make it

A simple and common way to express failure.

they couldn't manage

Focuses on the inability to accomplish something.

they came up short

Suggests they were close to succeeding but ultimately failed.

their attempt was fruitless

Highlights the lack of positive results from their attempt.

they didn't pull it off

An informal way of saying they didn't succeed.

they were thwarted

Indicates that an external force prevented their success.

they were defeated

Implies an opposition or struggle that led to their failure.

FAQs

How can I use "they were unsuccessful" in a sentence?

You can use "they were unsuccessful" to describe a situation where a group or entity did not achieve its goal. For example, "Despite their efforts, they were unsuccessful in reaching a compromise".

What are some alternatives to "they were unsuccessful"?

Alternatives include "they failed", "they did not succeed", or "their efforts were in vain", depending on the context.

Is "they were unsuccessful" formal or informal?

"They were unsuccessful" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It can be used in both formal writing and everyday conversation, although more casual options exist.

What is the difference between "they were unsuccessful" and "they failed"?

"They were unsuccessful" is a more polite and less direct way of saying "they failed". The choice depends on the desired tone and context.