I failed to keep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I failed to keep" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that you were unable to maintain or uphold something, such as a promise, commitment, or standard. Example: "I failed to keep my promise to help her with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Un-self-forgivably, I failed to keep up our friendship from those days.

The New York Times

Even working such long hours I failed to keep up the repayments and lost my home.

The Guardian

"I failed to keep up the payments that would have been required to maintain my coverage," he said.

The New York Times

Bumgarner beat the Mets at Citi Field, 9-0, this past August 3rd, but somehow I failed to keep the date.

The New Yorker

In those days, I had no experience with avalanches, only a dim sense that they killed Paumgartens, so I failed to keep an eye on him or to take any precautions of my own.

The New Yorker

But my days of the week were still messed up; I failed to keep track of them until I glimpsed _____________ watch when he pulled it out of his pocket to check the time.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

There was an Icarus I, but it failed to keep its appointment, for reasons as yet unknown.

The New Yorker

I fail to keep the Sabbath more than I succeed, probably because I started trying to do it not as a result of some redemptive revelation, such as might occur to a character in a Russian novel, but experimentally, out of curiosity, and in a social vacuum -- by myself, rather than in a group or family setting.

The New York Times - Magazine

Even his dictation to her soon becomes fraught with meaning, "as if, a little like a male counterpart to Scheherazade, I was trying to enchant her, in order to keep her, as I had failed to keep Gigi and Vanessa".

The New York Times - Books

For years on end, I had failed to keep my new year's resolution.

Huffington Post

The paragon in me wouldn't have forgiven itself if I'd failed to keep Kate alive.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I failed to keep", ensure that the object being kept is clearly defined. For example, "I failed to keep my promise" is clearer than "I failed to keep."

Common error

While "failed" is direct, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "neglected", "omitted", or "fell short" to add nuance and sophistication to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I failed to keep" functions as a declarative statement expressing a personal inability or lack of success in maintaining a particular condition, promise, or action. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I failed to keep" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey the inability to maintain or uphold something. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase frequently appears in news and media contexts, often expressing regret or accountability. Alternatives such as "I was unsuccessful in maintaining" or "I could not uphold" can be used for variety. When using the phrase, ensure clarity about what was not kept. Overuse of "failed" can be avoided by incorporating synonyms. While not overly frequent, it is understood and widely used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was unsuccessful in maintaining

Replaces "failed" with "was unsuccessful" and "keep" with "maintaining", providing a slightly more formal tone.

I could not uphold

Substitutes "failed" with "could not" and "keep" with "uphold", emphasizing a lack of ability to support or defend something.

I didn't manage to preserve

Replaces "failed" with "didn't manage" and "keep" with "preserve", focusing on the inability to maintain something in its original state.

I wasn't able to sustain

Uses "wasn't able" instead of "failed" and "sustain" in place of "keep", highlighting a lack of capacity to continue something.

I neglected to continue

Replaces "failed" with "neglected" and "keep" with "continue", suggesting an oversight or lack of attention in maintaining something.

I was remiss in preserving

Substitutes "failed" with "was remiss" and "keep" with "preserving", implying a blameworthy neglect in maintaining something.

I dropped the ball on

An idiomatic expression replacing the entire phrase with a more casual way of saying someone didn't follow through.

I fell short in honoring

Replaces "failed" with "fell short" and "keep" with "honoring", emphasizing a failure to fulfill an obligation or commitment.

I defaulted on my promise to

Uses "defaulted" to indicate a failure to fulfill a commitment, focusing on a broken promise.

I reneged on my commitment to

Emphasizes the breaking of a commitment or agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "I failed to keep" in a sentence?

You can use "I failed to keep" to express a lack of success in maintaining or upholding something. For example, "I failed to keep my appointment" or "I failed to keep the secret".

What can I say instead of "I failed to keep"?

You can use alternatives like "I was unsuccessful in maintaining", "I could not uphold", or "I didn't manage to preserve depending on the specific context.

Is "I failed to kept" grammatically correct?

No, "I failed to kept" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "I failed to keep". "Keep" should be in its base form after the infinitive "to".

What is the difference between "I failed to keep" and "I tried to keep"?

"I failed to keep" indicates a lack of success, while "I tried to keep" suggests an attempt was made, regardless of the outcome. The first is about the result, the second about the effort.