was unsuccessful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was unsuccessful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or effort that did not achieve the desired outcome or result. Example: "Despite their best efforts, the project was unsuccessful in meeting its goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

The search was unsuccessful.

The New York Times

Alas, he was unsuccessful.

The New York Times

He was unsuccessful.

The New York Times

Tiegboro was unsuccessful.

The New Yorker

It was unsuccessful.

The New York Times - Arts

The campaign was unsuccessful.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

"But they were unsuccessful".

The New York Times

They had been unsuccessful.

The New Yorker

(The talks were unsuccessful).

The New Yorker

Both pursuits were unsuccessful.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Way to Be Unsuccessful.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was unsuccessful", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject was attempting to achieve. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "was unsuccessful" without specifying the domain of failure. For instance, instead of saying "The project was unsuccessful", specify "The project was unsuccessful in meeting its deadlines but successful in staying within budget."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was unsuccessful" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a subject after an attempt or action. It indicates that the effort did not achieve the desired outcome. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

16%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was unsuccessful" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a lack of success or failure in achieving a particular objective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in various contexts. Its usage spans across diverse domains, including news, science, encyclopedias, and general writing. While perfectly acceptable in a wide array of situations, it's crucial to ensure that the context clearly defines what specific endeavor "was unsuccessful" to avoid ambiguity. The phrase has many alternatives which have subtle distinctions, such as "did not succeed", or "failed".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not succeed

Direct replacement using a synonym for "unsuccessful".

met with failure

A more formal and direct way of stating that something failed.

failed to achieve the goal

Rephrasing to emphasize the lack of goal attainment.

yielded no results

Focuses on the absence of tangible outcomes.

proved fruitless

Emphasizes the lack of positive results or outcomes.

came to nothing

Suggests a complete lack of accomplishment or progress.

was to no avail

Similar to "was in vain", highlighting the lack of positive impact.

did not work out

More informal way of expressing failure or lack of success.

was in vain

Highlights the wasted effort or resources.

fell flat

Emphasizes the disappointing or underwhelming result.

FAQs

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

You can use "was unsuccessful" to describe an attempt that did not achieve its intended result. For instance, "His attempt to climb the mountain "was unsuccessful" due to the severe weather conditions."

What are some alternatives to "was unsuccessful"?

Some alternatives include "did not succeed", "failed", or "proved fruitless", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "was unsuccessful" or "failed"?

Both "was unsuccessful" and "failed" are acceptable, but "was unsuccessful" might sound slightly more formal. "Failed" is more direct and can sometimes carry a stronger negative connotation.

What is the difference between "was unsuccessful" and "did not succeed"?

The phrases "was unsuccessful" and "did not succeed" are very similar in meaning. "Was unsuccessful" might imply a more concerted effort that still didn't yield the desired outcome.