Failed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Failed to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone did not succeed in performing a specific action or task. Example: "The project was delayed because the team failed to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Failed to get bird.

The New Yorker

(It failed to pass).

The New York Times

Girls failed to materialize.

The New Yorker

Estonia failed to qualify.

The New York Times

Toilets failed to flush.

The New York Times

Many failed to escape.

The Economist

It still failed to act.

The New York Times

They've failed to do that.

The New Yorker

They failed to take it.

The Economist

The plants failed to "Live!

The New York Times

It failed to do that.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Failed to" to clearly and directly state a lack of success in achieving a specific goal or action. It is straightforward and easily understood in various contexts.

Common error

Avoid overusing "Failed to" in highly formal writing. Instead, consider using more nuanced alternatives like "proved incapable of" or "did not succeed in" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Failed to" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the absence of success or the inability to achieve a specific action or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, highlighting its directness in conveying non-achievement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Failed to" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a lack of success or inability to perform an action. As Ludwig AI suggests, it’s appropriate for many contexts but can be replaced with alternatives like "did not succeed in" or "was unable to" in more formal settings. This phrase is prevalent in news and media, making it a versatile choice for reporting outcomes across various fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Did not succeed in

Replaces "failed" with a more explicit description of lacking success.

Was unable to

Substitutes "failed" with a phrase indicating inability.

Did not manage to

Emphasizes the lack of managing to achieve something.

Could not

A more concise way of expressing inability.

Fall short of

Suggests not reaching a desired target or standard.

Prove incapable of

Highlights an inherent lack of capability.

Be unsuccessful in

Formally states the lack of success.

Missed the mark

An idiomatic expression for not achieving the intended goal.

Lacked the ability to

Focuses on the missing ability to perform an action.

Neglected to

Indicates a failure due to oversight or negligence.

FAQs

How can I use "Failed to" in a sentence?

The phrase "Failed to" is used to indicate a lack of success in performing an action. For example: "The team "failed to meet the deadline"."

What are some alternatives to "Failed to"?

You can use alternatives such as "did not succeed in", "was unable to", or "did not manage to" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "Failed to" or "Did fail to"?

"Failed to" is generally used to indicate a lack of success. "Did fail to" is grammatically correct, but emphasizes the failure. The simple past form is more common and natural in most contexts.

What's the difference between "Failed to" and "Neglected to"?

"Failed to" generally indicates a lack of success, while "Neglected to" implies a lack of attention or care in performing an action. For example, someone may have "failed to complete the task" due to unforeseen circumstances, but "neglected to inform the team" due to oversight.