unsuccessful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unsuccessful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lack of success in an endeavor or attempt. Example: "Despite their efforts, the project was ultimately deemed unsuccessful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Please note that no correspondence will be entered into with unsuccessful candidates.

The Guardian

No verbal or written correspondence will be entered into with unsuccessful applicants although unsuccessful applicants may apply to other selective Guardian Masterclasses.

The Guardian

Labor introduced a controversial "no advantage test" on 13 August last year in an unsuccessful attempt to stop asylum boats from coming by insisting that those applying for refugee status in that way received no benefit compared with those who stayed in refugee camps in the region.

The Guardian

It was the rotting Ottoman remains that the British occupied (a big eye on the oil) and started modernising (that Blairish word) after the first world war, with largely unsuccessful results that culminated in Saddam Hussein, from a pro-Nazi clan in Tikrit, a city now occupied by Isis.

The Guardian

The next ones were less benign, driving through a rainstorm on the M11 in a deliberate, and not entirely unsuccessful, attempt to scare me.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unsuccessful contestants are then forced to exit by attempting to lift the notoriously tricksy, rust-riddled garage door, while successful candidates are allowed to exit using the side door and taken directly on to the O2 Arena stage where they'll perform again in front of thousands of hysterical fans.

The Guardian - Music

The money was taken out of my PayPal account, but within minutes Asos emailed saying the order was unsuccessful.

The Guardian - Money

The budget reveals how the government will fund an extension of the national collaborative research infrastructure strategy (NCRIS), which emerged as a controversial bargaining chip in unsuccessful Senate negotiations.

The Guardian

"The union has spent its members' dues money in the past two years attacking the McDonald's brand...in an unsuccessful attempt to unionize workers," the company said in a statement.

The Guardian - Business

The founder of the US fashion brand American Apparel, who was fired last week, has launched a campaign to get his job back and said he will seek severance pay of up to $25m £15mm) if he is unsuccessful.

The Guardian - Business

In his advocacy for this regime change - to bring about a shift from discretion to a rule for monetary growth - he was conspicuously unsuccessful.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unsuccessful" to describe attempts, efforts, or ventures that did not achieve their intended outcome. Ensure the context clearly indicates what was attempted and why it was considered unsuccessful.

Common error

Avoid using "unsuccessful" when "incomplete" or "pending" would be more accurate. "Unsuccessful" implies a definitive failure, not just a lack of current progress.

Linguistic Context

The word "unsuccessful" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that has not achieved the desired outcome or aim. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "unsuccessful" is a common and versatile adjective used to describe efforts or attempts that have not achieved their desired outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and science. While direct synonyms like "failed" exist, "unsuccessful" offers a nuanced way to convey a lack of success without necessarily implying complete failure or incompetence. When using "unsuccessful", it's important to consider the degree of failure and choose the most appropriate term to accurately reflect the situation. Remember to ensure the context indicates clearly what was attempted and consider if a different word would have been more proper or accurate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed

Direct synonym, indicating a complete lack of success.

abortive

Describes something that is unsuccessful because it was prematurely terminated.

fruitless

Suggests an endeavor that yielded no positive results despite effort.

ineffective

Indicates a lack of ability to produce the desired effect.

unavailing

Describes something that is of no use or advantage; futile.

thwarted

Indicates that something was prevented from succeeding.

in vain

Highlights that efforts were made but did not achieve the desired outcome.

come to naught

A more idiomatic expression indicating that something resulted in nothing.

gone awry

Suggests that plans or actions deviated from the intended course and failed.

fallen through

Specifically refers to plans or agreements that did not materialize.

FAQs

How can I use "unsuccessful" in a sentence?

You can use "unsuccessful" to describe a failed attempt or endeavor. For example, "His "unsuccessful attempt" to climb the mountain left him disappointed".

What are some alternatives to saying "unsuccessful"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "failed", "fruitless", or "ineffective".

Is it better to say "not successful" or "unsuccessful"?

Both "not successful" and "unsuccessful" are grammatically correct, but "unsuccessful" is generally more concise and direct. The choice depends on the desired tone and flow of your writing.

What is the difference between "unsuccessful" and "unfortunate"?

"Unsuccessful" describes a failure to achieve a desired outcome, while "unfortunate" describes something that is unlucky or regrettable. For example, an "unsuccessful business" venture versus an unfortunate accident.