were unsuccessful in finding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were unsuccessful in finding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a failure to locate or discover something, often in a formal or academic context. Example: "The researchers were unsuccessful in finding a cure for the disease despite extensive trials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

We tried database matching the 50% MeOH, as we did with the flow-through fractions, but we were unsuccessful in finding any matches.

Analytical Chemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But according to people with knowledge of the search, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it, the board stepped up its efforts to find a successor to Mr. Forsee after the company was unsuccessful in finding a replacement for Len J. Lauer, the company's former chief operating officer.

The New York Times - Tech

Motorola has been unsuccessful in finding a new chief executive to run the mobile phone business.

The New York Times

She was tired, having been unsuccessful in finding any Mello Yello, her caffeinated drink of choice, in New York.

The New York Times

Corruption has mired growth to a great extent, and past and present governments have so far been unsuccessful in finding a permanent solution.

The Guardian

Should Iliad be unsuccessful in finding a nonprofit tenant for a community facility, it has also retained the brokerage firm Corcoran Wexler, which specializes in medical tenants.

The New York Times

By the end of 1977 Signal basically was unsuccessful in finding other suitable investment candidates for its excess cash, and by February 1978 considered that it had no other realistic acquisitions available to it on a friendly basis.

Harvard University

The team is weighed by heavy contracts and Donnie Walsh, the team's president, has been unsuccessful in finding a taker for Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph, whose deals extend through the 2011 season.

The New York Times - Sports

She admitted that IKWRO had been unsuccessful in finding extra funding but added that Karma Nirvana were welcome to contact them, something Mrs Sanghera says she has tried to do consistently for six months.

Independent

We finally found a private, nonprofit organization, We Can, that employs the poor and homeless to pick up our empty bottles and cans, but to date have been unsuccessful in finding a carter who will pick up less than a ton of newspapers or other types of paper for recycling.

The New York Times

Mission scientists had been unsuccessful in finding a follow-up KBO with ground-based telescopes.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were unsuccessful in finding", ensure the context clearly indicates what was being sought and why the failure to find it is significant. For example: "Despite numerous attempts, the team "were unsuccessful in finding" a viable solution to the problem."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "were unsuccessful in finding" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "couldn't find" or "didn't manage to locate" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were unsuccessful in finding" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a subject by describing their failure to locate something. It connects the subject with the state of not achieving a desired outcome, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were unsuccessful in finding" is a grammatically sound and fairly common phrase used to express the lack of success in locating something. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English when describing a failure to locate or discover something, often in a formal or academic context. While it is versatile, it is best suited for situations where a degree of formality is appropriate. Simpler alternatives like "failed to find" or "couldn't find" may be preferred in informal settings. Usage analysis shows that this phrase appears in news, scientific, and wiki contexts. By understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts, you can use "were unsuccessful in finding" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to find

More concise and direct alternative.

searched unsuccessfully for

Simple and direct substitution.

were unable to locate

Emphasizes the inability to pinpoint the location.

did not succeed in locating

More formal and emphasizes the lack of success.

could not discover

Focuses on the lack of discovery.

were thwarted in their search for

Highlights an obstruction in the search.

came up empty in the search for

An idiomatic expression indicating a fruitless search.

had no luck finding

Informal way of expressing lack of success.

proved futile in locating

Emphasizes the pointlessness of the search.

their attempts to find were fruitless

Highlights the lack of results despite effort.

FAQs

What are some simpler alternatives to "were unsuccessful in finding"?

Alternatives include "failed to find", "couldn't find", or "didn't manage to locate", depending on the context.

Is "were unsuccessful in finding" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, the phrase is suitable for formal writing, especially when precision and a slightly elevated tone are desired. However, ensure it doesn't sound overly verbose.

How can I make my sentences using "were unsuccessful in finding" more impactful?

Clearly state the object of the search and the consequences of not finding it. For instance, "The researchers "were unsuccessful in finding" a cure, leading to further research delays."

What's the difference between "were unsuccessful in finding" and "failed to find"?

"Failed to find" is more direct and concise. "Were unsuccessful in finding" is slightly more formal and can emphasize the effort put into the search. Both are generally interchangeable, but the latter might be preferred in academic or professional writing.