The question of whether to use “unsucessfull” or “unsuccessful” is a common one for English language learners and even native speakers. Both words may seem similar, but they are not interchangeable. The correct term to use is “unsuccessful,” without the additional ‘l’.
To understand why “unsuccessful” is the correct spelling, we need to learn the basic rules of English spelling and morphology. English words are formed using prefixes and suffixes, which are added to root words to create new ones. In this case, “un-” is a prefix added to the word “successful.” The prefix “un-” means “not,” and when attached to a word, it changes the meaning to the opposite.
Now, let’s consider the spelling of the root word “successful.” It is important to note that English has a consistent pattern when adding the prefix “un-” to words that end in a single consonant followed by a single vowel. In such cases, the final consonant is usually doubled before the prefix is added. For example, we have “unlock,” “untie,” and “unfit.” This doubling of consonants helps to maintain the pronunciation of the word.
Applying this pattern to “successful,” we see that the word ends in a single ‘l’ followed by a vowel ‘u.’ According to the spelling rule, the ‘l’ should be doubled when adding the prefix “un-.” Therefore, we get “unsuccessful” as the correct spelling.
To further reinforce the correctness of “unsuccessful,” let’s examine some examples of its usage in sentences:
1. Despite her best efforts, Jane was unsuccessful in securing a job interview.
2. The company’s attempt to launch a new product was ultimately unsuccessful.
3. He felt discouraged when his painting didn’t sell, marking his first unsuccessful attempt as an artist.
4. The team’s strategy proved unsuccessful, leading to their defeat in the final game of the season.
5. Sara’s dream of becoming a professional athlete remained unfulfilled as her tryouts were unsuccessful.
In all these examples, you can see that “unsuccessful” is used to describe situations where things did not go as planned or desired. The word effectively conveys a negative outcome or lack of achievement.
In contrast, if we were to spell it as “unsucessfull,” it not only violates the English spelling pattern, but it also looks incorrect to native speakers. It gives the impression of being misspelled, as ‘unsucessfull’ does not conform to any known rule in English spelling.
In conclusion, it is important to remember that “unsuccessful” is the correct spelling, while “unsucessfull” is not a valid term in the English language. Understanding the rules of spelling and morphology can help us use words appropriately, ensuring effective communication. So, let’s embrace proper spelling and write confidently using “unsuccessful” in our everyday language.