without success

USAGE SUMMARY

"without success" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
Example: She attempted to fix the broken window without success.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

-- without success.

The New York Times

He isn't without success.

The New York Times

Months passed without success.

The New York Times - Magazine

Bf1, but without success.

The New York Times - Style

Stunned, the owners appealed but without success.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Without success, you cannot keep producing".

The New York Times

They tried to blend in, without success.

The New York Times - Magazine

The family sued, without success.

The New York Times

Sheffield United toiled against Forest without success.

The Guardian - Sport

He tried to mediate, without success.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Subsequently, other teams tried to reproduce the findings--without success.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without success" to clearly and concisely indicate that an attempt or effort did not produce the desired outcome. It is suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "without success" is versatile, avoid using overly casual synonyms like "it didn't work out" in formal writing. Maintain a professional tone by sticking to "without success" or a similar formal alternative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without success" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used as an adverbial to modify a verb, indicating the manner in which an action was performed. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

20%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without success" is a grammatically sound and versatile prepositional phrase widely used to indicate a lack of positive outcome in various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It commonly appears in news, academic writing, and encyclopedias. For alternative expressions, consider "unsuccessfully" or "to no avail". When using the phrase, be mindful of maintaining appropriate formality in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsuccessfully

This is a single-word adverb that directly replaces the phrase.

to no avail

This idiom emphasizes the futility of the attempt.

in vain

Similar to "to no avail", this phrase highlights the lack of a positive result despite effort.

fruitlessly

This adverb describes the effort as unproductive and lacking results.

abortively

Implies a premature ending or failure of an attempt.

without any positive results

A more descriptive phrase that clarifies the absence of favorable outcomes.

failed to achieve the goal

This phrase explicitly states the failure to meet a specific objective.

the attempt was unsuccessful

This rephrases the idea by focusing on the failure of the attempt itself.

efforts proved unproductive

Highlights the lack of productivity as a consequence of the effort.

the mission flopped

This is a more informal way of saying that a particular plan went wrong.

FAQs

How can I use "without success" in a sentence?

You can use "without success" to indicate that an attempt or effort did not achieve the desired outcome. For example, "He tried to start the car without success".

What are some alternatives to "without success"?

Some alternatives to "without success" include "unsuccessfully", "to no avail", or "in vain", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "without success" or "unsuccessfully"?

Both "without success" and "unsuccessfully" are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference or the rhythm of the sentence.

What's the difference between "without success" and "with no success"?

While both phrases are similar, "without success" is more common and idiomatic. "With no success" is also correct but may sound slightly more formal or emphatic. Both are acceptable.