unsuccessful try

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'unsuccessful try' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a failed attempt at doing something. For example: "He made an unsuccessful try at solving the complex math problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

(In 1992, Bush made an unsuccessful try for the position of commissioner of Major League baseball).

The New Yorker

He threw once to second base in an unsuccessful try to stop a steal but said he felt no pain.

The New York Times - Sports

The expected decision would represent Amazon's re-entry into the art world, after it also made an early unsuccessful try, as partner to Sotheby's, in 1999.

The New York Times - Arts

In 1877 he became associate editor of the San Francisco Argonaut but left it in 1879 80 for an unsuccessful try at placer mining in Rockerville in the Dakota Territory.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But attempts by the RAF Museum to raise the relic have been hit by strong winds over the weeks and the operation has now gone back into port after an unsuccessful try last night that was abandoned due to high winds.

Independent

In the late 1980s, after an undistinguished career in medicine and an unsuccessful try at a career in the arts, Dr. Kevorkian rediscovered a fascination with death that he had developed during his early years in medicine, only now his interest in it was not as a private event but as a matter of public policy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Text was required to accompany the monthly instalments and, after one or two unsuccessful try-outs, the publishers hired an up-and-coming 23-year-old named Charles Dickens, whose Sketches by Boz had just appeared in volume form.

The Guardian - Books

A fellow New Jersey resident, Steve Forbes, unloaded $70 million in two unsuccessful tries for the presidency.

The New York Times

A friend of the Parker-Broderick clan told Entertainment Weekly: "They had a lot of unsuccessful tries", to have another child.

The Guardian

After two unsuccessful tries, he was elected Democratic governor of Massachusetts in 1882 and two years later became the presidential candidate of the Greenback-Labor Party and the Anti-Monopoly Party. Anti-Monopoly Party

Encyclopedia Britannica

I looked around my professional environment and was stunned by the number of people who acknowledge going back to the basic Tweeter app after unsuccessful tries elsewhere.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unsuccessful try", ensure that the context clearly indicates what was being attempted and why it failed. Providing additional details enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using redundant language. For example, "unsuccessful attempt" is similar in meaning, so choosing one or the other will streamline your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unsuccessful try" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'unsuccessful' modifies the noun 'try'. It indicates a specific instance where an attempt was made but did not achieve the intended result. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unsuccessful try" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable way to describe a failed attempt, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While its frequency is not high, occurring mostly in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Scientific sources, it serves effectively to denote that an effort was made but didn't succeed. When using this phrase, clarity can be enhanced by providing context as to what was attempted and why it failed. Though acceptable in many contexts, consider alternatives like "failed attempt" or "unsuccessful endeavor" in more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed attempt

Emphasizes the failure aspect more directly.

unsuccessful endeavor

A more formal alternative, emphasizing the broader scope of the undertaking.

abortive effort

Suggests an effort that was cut short or didn't fully develop.

abortive attempt

Implies the attempt was prematurely terminated.

fruitless endeavor

Highlights the lack of positive results from the undertaking.

vain attempt

Indicates that the attempt was ultimately futile or without purpose.

unavailing effort

A more formal way to express that the effort did not produce the desired result.

botched attempt

Suggests the attempt was poorly executed and thus failed.

failed bid

Often used in the context of auctions, competitions, or takeovers.

futile effort

Stresses the pointlessness of the effort from the beginning.

FAQs

What does "unsuccessful try" mean?

The phrase "unsuccessful try" refers to an attempt to do something that did not succeed or yield the desired outcome.

How can I use "unsuccessful try" in a sentence?

You can use "unsuccessful try" in a sentence like this: "His "unsuccessful try" at fixing the car left him stranded."

What are some alternatives to "unsuccessful try"?

Some alternatives to "unsuccessful try" include "failed attempt", "abortive effort", or "fruitless endeavor".

Is "unsuccessful try" formal or informal?

The phrase "unsuccessful try" is considered relatively neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal options like "unsuccessful endeavor" might be preferred in certain situations.