unsuccessfully

/ˌʌnsəkˈsesfəli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌʌnsəkˈsesfəli/ (ame, ipa) · /"+/ (ame, mw)

unsuccessfully — adverb

1. Describes an action or effort where the hoped-for result is not achieved and the

1.副詞C1
釋義

Describes an action or effort where the hoped-for result is not achieved and the attempt ends without success

例句

Bao applied for three jobs unsuccessfully before finally getting an interview.

apply unsuccessfully for [something]

The young athlete tried unsuccessfully to beat her own record at the national competition.

try unsuccessfully to [verb]

同義詞
  • vainly

    More literary and emotional; often implies the effort was pointless from the start

  • fruitlessly

    Emphasises that the effort produced no result despite genuine hard work

  • futilely

    Stronger tone, suggesting the attempt had no real chance of succeeding

反義詞
  • successfully

    The direct opposite; describes an attempt that achieved its aim

文法句型

modifies verb of attempt

用法筆記

Commonly appears before or after the main verb it modifies, typically paired with verbs of effort or pursuit such as try, attempt, apply, search, or seek.

常見錯誤

❌I tried unsuccessfully to call you but I got through on the first ring.
✅I tried unsuccessfully to call you
💡the line was busy all morning.' — 'unsuccessfully' describes an attempt that failed, so the surrounding context must match that outcome.