were not successful

USAGE SUMMARY

"were not successful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to indicate a lack of success. For example, "The team's attempts to break the world record were not successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were not successful.

The Economist

"Some were not successful.

The New York Times

Those were not successful.

Harvard Business Review

"We were not successful then".

The New York Times

Subsequent clinical trials were not successful.

The Economist

Telephone calls to Tuiasosopo were not successful.

The New York Times - Sports

"Hate and the killer were not successful.

The New York Times

The efforts were not successful.

The Washington Post

Attempts to reach him were not successful.

The New York Times

We were not successful," he said.

The Washington Post

Attempts to reach Assir were not successful.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were not successful", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject was attempting to achieve. Provide specific details about the failed attempt to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "were not successful" in vague contexts. Always specify what attempts "were not successful" and why. For example, instead of saying "The changes were not successful", specify "The changes to the marketing strategy were not successful because they did not increase lead generation."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not successful" functions as a predicative adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a lack of success. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and frequently employed. The phrase typically follows a linking verb (such as "were") and describes the state or condition of the subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were not successful" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to denote a lack of success or achievement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, ranging from formal reports to casual discussions. While several alternatives exist, like "failed to achieve" or "proved ineffective", "were not successful" maintains a neutral tone suitable for many situations. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what exactly "were not successful" and, if relevant, the reasons behind the failure. This comprehensive analysis, supported by numerous real-world examples, demonstrates the versatility and correctness of the phrase "were not successful".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were unsuccessful in their attempts

Explicitly states that efforts did not yield the desired results.

met with failure

A more direct and forceful way of stating a lack of success.

proved ineffective

Emphasizes the lack of effectiveness or impact.

failed to accomplish the goal

Highlights the inability to reach a predetermined objective.

did not achieve the desired outcome

Focuses on the lack of reaching a specific, intended result.

did not attain the objective

Emphasizes the failure to reach a specific objective or target.

did not work out as planned

Indicates a deviation from an intended course or expectation.

fell short of expectations

Focuses on the disparity between anticipated and actual results.

did not bear fruit

Implies that efforts did not produce any positive results or benefits.

turned out to be a fiasco

Suggests a complete and embarrassing failure.

FAQs

How can I use "were not successful" in a sentence?

Use "were not successful" to describe attempts or actions that failed to achieve their intended goal. For example, "The negotiations with the union "were not successful", leading to a strike."

What are some alternatives to saying "were not successful"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "failed to achieve", "proved ineffective", or "did not work out".

Is it better to say "were not successful" or "failed"?

Both "were not successful" and "failed" are correct, but they can have slightly different connotations. "Failed" is more direct, while "were not successful" can be a more nuanced or polite way of expressing the same idea.

What's the difference between "were not successful" and "unsuccessful"?

"Were not successful" is a phrase that uses the verb "were" with the adjective phrase "not successful", whereas "unsuccessful" is a single adjective. The meaning is very similar, and the choice often comes down to stylistic preference. For example, "The project was unsuccessful" is equivalent to "The project "were not successful"."