try without success

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try without success" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an attempt to achieve something that ultimately did not succeed. Example: "I tried without success to fix the broken printer, so I called a technician for help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

She and others who have similar markings use a local traditional medicine to try, without success, to clear them up.Krong Koh Kong, it has to be said, is at the lower end of the sex trade.

The Economist

When Flight 93 is hijacked, the passengers initially respond with panic, while the flight controllers on the ground, burning through their disbelief, try (without success) to rouse the military.

The New Yorker

He had enough time — about 45 minutes — to drape antiwar banners from the fence, say a prayer and try without success to open a hatch leading to the silo before he was arrested by Air Force security personnel.

The New York Times

Stella, the love interest played in the musical by Marissa McGowan, now has a budding independent spirit; she sings the ballad "While I Still Have the Time" and is the center of a number in which the college cheerleaders and marching band try without success to persuade her to conform.

The New York Times

Ms. Harrison would later try (without success) to talk her savior out of the idea -- this is not a blood donation, after all, this is major surgery, with all the attendant risks plus the loss of an organ that she herself might need later.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 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

She tried without success to find treatment on her own.

The New York Times

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "try without success", ensure the context clearly indicates the effort made and the resulting lack of achievement. This helps avoid ambiguity and emphasizes the futility of the attempt.

Common error

Avoid using "try without success" in contexts where the failure is already implied. For example, stating "He tried without success to open the unlocked door" is redundant, as trying implies the door was not opened.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try without success" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an action (trying) that results in a lack of achievement. As Ludwig AI points out, this construction is grammatically correct. The phrase specifies that an attempt was made but did not yield the desired outcome, adding detail about the effort's futility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "try without success" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that indicates an attempt to achieve something that ultimately failed. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and the examples found across various sources highlight its use in describing situations where effort was exerted but no positive outcome was achieved. While "try without success" appears most frequently in news and media contexts, it is also found in encyclopedias and scientific literature. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the effort made and the resulting lack of achievement to avoid redundancy or ambiguity. Alternatives such as "attempt in vain" or "make an unsuccessful attempt" can be used to convey a similar meaning in more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt in vain

Replaces "try" with "attempt" and uses "in vain" to explicitly state the lack of success.

make an unsuccessful attempt

Formally states that the attempt did not succeed, emphasizing the failure of the effort.

try and fail

Directly indicates both the attempt and the subsequent failure in a concise manner.

endeavor fruitlessly

Uses "endeavor" to denote effort and "fruitlessly" to highlight the lack of positive results.

strive without result

Emphasizes the effort made ("strive") and the absence of any positive outcome.

struggle unsuccessfully

Highlights the difficulty of the attempt and its ultimate failure.

take a shot and miss

Informal expression suggesting an attempt that fell short of the target.

give it a shot to no avail

Indicates an attempt was made, but it did not produce the desired result.

exert effort to no effect

Stresses the energy expended with no resulting impact or change.

make a bid without prevailing

Suggests an attempt to achieve something competitive or significant, but ultimately failing to win or succeed.

FAQs

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

You can use phrases like "attempt in vain", "make an unsuccessful attempt", or "endeavor fruitlessly" to convey a more formal tone.

What's a more direct way to express "try without success"?

A more direct way to say "try without success" is to say "try and fail", which succinctly conveys the action and its outcome.

Is it always necessary to include "without success" after "try"?

No, it's not always necessary. Depending on the context, the lack of success may already be implied. However, including "without success" emphasizes the futility of the attempt.

What are some common situations where I might use "try without success"?

You might use "try without success" when describing efforts to solve a problem, achieve a goal, or persuade someone, particularly when those efforts are persistent or noteworthy despite their failure.