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wasn't successful
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Alternative expressions(8)

didn't succeed

proved unsuccessful

failed to achieve

fell short

didn't work out

didn't pan out

missed the mark

came to nothing

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It wasn't successful work".

News & Media

The New Yorker

Unfortunately I wasn't successful.

News & Media

The Guardian

"This time it just wasn't successful".

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

"And I'm glad I wasn't successful".

News & Media

The New York Times

I gave it a try and it wasn't successful".

News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

"We're at peace?" Mr. Silver rebutted the next day, saying, "If it wasn't successful, he's the reason I wasn't successful".

News & Media

The New York Times

The job was too different from what I had been doing, however, and I wasn't successful.

News & Media

The New York Times

I asked him whether Hendrick might fire him if he wasn't successful this year.

News & Media

The New York Times - Magazine

We were all very happy that the explosion didn't take place, that he wasn't successful".

News & Media

The New York Times

I felt that the cycle as a whole wasn't successful in making him evolve.

News & Media

The New Yorker

I didn't hold much interest for them because I wasn't successful.

News & Media

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger synonyms like "failed" or "proved ineffective" for a more impactful statement, especially in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "wasn't successful" repeatedly in formal reports or academic papers. Vary your language with more precise and impactful alternatives to maintain reader engagement and demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the situation.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wasn't successful" functions as an adjective phrase, typically used as a predicate adjective modifying a subject. It describes the state or condition of something not achieving the desired or intended outcome. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its prevalent use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

Social Media

Encyclopedias

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wasn't successful" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a lack of achievement or a negative outcome. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples reveals its frequent use in news, media, and scientific contexts, indicating its versatility and broad applicability. Although the phrase is generally acceptable, varying your language with synonyms like "didn't succeed" or "proved unsuccessful" can enhance the impact of your writing. The phrase maintains a neutral tone, fitting a wide range of communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

didn't succeed

A direct synonym, focusing on the failure to achieve a desired outcome.

was a failure

Directly states the lack of success, often implying a significant negative outcome.

proved unsuccessful

More formal, emphasizing the demonstration of a lack of success.

failed to achieve

Highlights the inability to reach a specific goal.

fell short

Indicates a failure to meet a required standard or expectation.

didn't work out

An informal alternative, suggesting that a plan or attempt did not go as expected.

didn't pan out

Informal, suggesting that something didn't turn out as planned or hoped.

missed the mark

Suggests that an attempt or effort was not accurate or effective.

came to nothing

Implies a complete lack of results or progress.

bore no fruit

A more metaphorical expression indicating a lack of positive results or outcomes.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "wasn't successful"?

You can use alternatives like "didn't succeed", "proved unsuccessful", or "failed to achieve" depending on the context.

How to use "wasn't successful" in a sentence?

The phrase "wasn't successful" is used to indicate that an attempt or effort did not achieve the desired outcome. For example, "The project wasn't successful due to unforeseen circumstances".

Which is correct, "wasn't successful" or "was not successful"?

Both "wasn't successful" and "was not successful" are grammatically correct. The contracted form "wasn't successful" is more common in informal contexts, while "was not successful" is slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "wasn't successful" and "failed"?

"Wasn't successful" is a more general and sometimes gentler way to say that something did not achieve its goal. "Failed" is a more direct and forceful statement of non-achievement.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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wasn't successfulGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

wasn't successful
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples