tried without success

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tried without success" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an attempt to achieve something that ultimately did not succeed. Example: "She tried without success to convince her boss to approve the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have tried without success to enjoy persistent-world games.

The New York Times - Tech

The young man tried, without success, to get a cab.

The New York Times

Tamir tried without success to stay out of risky situations; Jacob tried without success to find his way into them.

The New Yorker

Investigators tried without success to establish a link between Markovic and a higher authority in Belgrade.

The New Yorker

Ms Gillard had also tried, without success, to persuade tiny East Timor to take Australia's refugees.

Independent

Several politicians also arrived at the scene and tried without success to engage him.

The New York Times

The owners tried without success to extend it, said Ike Escava, one of the partners.

The New York Times

One deal-maker tried, without success, to get a few American banks interested.

The Economist

After she left, he insisted, he tried without success to get back inside.

The New Yorker

Scientists around the world then tried, without success, to replicate the experiment.

The New York Times - Science

Since the agreement, the governor has repeatedly tried, without success, to scale back the programs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tried without success", ensure the context provides enough information about what was attempted and why it matters that it was unsuccessful. This adds depth and relevance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid repeating "tried without success" multiple times in a short piece of writing. This can make your text sound monotonous. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing the sentence to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tried without success" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an action (trying) that resulted in a negative outcome (lack of success). It modifies the subject by providing information about their attempt and its result. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tried without success" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that an attempt was made but did not achieve the desired outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, with a prevalence in News & Media sources. While synonyms like "attempted unsuccessfully" or "tried in vain" can offer variety, the core meaning remains consistent. When incorporating this phrase into your writing, consider the context and audience to ensure appropriate communication of the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempted unsuccessfully

Replaces 'tried' with 'attempted' and combines 'without success' into a single adverb, making it more concise.

tried in vain

Uses a more poetic and emphatic expression, 'in vain', to convey the lack of success.

made an unsuccessful attempt

Replaces 'tried' with a more formal 'made an attempt', emphasizing the lack of success.

endeavored without success

Substitutes 'tried' with 'endeavored', which is more formal and emphasizes effort.

failed in the attempt

Focuses on the failure rather than the trying, highlighting the negative outcome.

could not manage

Expresses inability to achieve something; less direct about the attempt.

was unable to

Indicates a lack of ability to do something, similar to failing.

didn't succeed in trying

A more verbose but clear way of expressing the failure of an attempt.

strove without result

Replaces 'tried' with 'strove', emphasizing the effort, and 'success' with 'result'.

fell short

A more concise way of indicating a failure to meet a goal or achieve success after attempting to do so.

FAQs

What does "tried without success" mean?

The phrase "tried without success" means that someone made an effort to achieve something, but they were not able to do it. It indicates an attempt that ended in failure.

How can I use "tried without success" in a sentence?

You can use "tried without success" to describe any situation where an attempt was made but failed. For example, "The team "tried without success" to meet the deadline."

What are some alternatives to "tried without success"?

Some alternatives to "tried without success" include "attempted unsuccessfully", "tried in vain", or "made an unsuccessful attempt". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "tried without success" formal or informal?

"Tried without success" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. It is a clear and direct way to express that an attempt was made but did not succeed.