appear to fail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appear to fail" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation or outcome that seems unsuccessful or ineffective, often based on observation or perception. Example: "The new marketing strategy appears to fail in attracting the target audience, as sales have not increased."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

The e-mail messages disclosed to date appear to fail that test, though they may have serious political value in a different sense.

The New York Times

When the protests, the outcry, the arguments appear to fail, they have still turned and changed the common ground and lots worse might have happened to choke it.

The Guardian - Books

We have to let ourselves fail, or appear to fail, in order to have even a shot at doing this parenting job right.

The New York Times

Why would we assume that when a standardized test is tweaked so that more students appear to fail, those results are necessarily more accurate?

The New York Times

But when it comes to the role of research in universities — and, yes, even in colleges — their insight and imagination appear to fail them.

The New York Times - Books

Counties that are home to nearly 100 million people appear to fail federal air standards because of microscopic soot from diesel-burning trucks, power plants and other sources, the Environmental Protection Agency said on Tuesday.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

We're happy to make work that appears to fail.

Independent

Stimulus appeared to fail because it was fitfully implemented.

The Economist

And Mr. Trump's usual political tool kit has appeared to fail him.

The New York Times

But in the spirit of letting the game be settled by the players, they appeared to fail.

The New York Times - Sports

Even Mr. Obama's promise of more transparency appeared to fail an instant test during his Friday news conference.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appear to fail" when you want to express a perception or observation of failure, rather than stating it as a definite fact. This allows for a degree of uncertainty or potential for change.

Common error

Avoid using "appear to fail" when you have conclusive evidence of failure. This phrase suggests a tentative assessment, so ensure it aligns with the level of certainty you intend to convey. Use stronger language if the failure is confirmed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appear to fail" functions as a verbal phrase that modifies a subject by expressing a tentative or perceived outcome. As Ludwig AI also points out, it conveys an impression that something is not succeeding rather than stating it as a confirmed fact. It describes the perceived state of an action or entity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "appear to fail" is a versatile verbal phrase used to express a tentative or perceived lack of success. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for a wide array of contexts, including news, science, and formal communications. While alternatives like "seem to fail" and "look like failing" offer similar meanings, "appear to fail" specifically conveys an impression based on observation. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the level of certainty you wish to express, and remember it's best used when results are uncertain.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem to fail

Replaces "appear" with "seem", indicating a similar sense of perception or impression.

seem to be failing

Adds "to be" for a continuous aspect, suggesting an ongoing process of failing.

look like failing

Uses "look like" to convey the impression of failure, focusing on visual assessment.

give the impression of failing

Emphasizes the act of creating an impression of failure, highlighting the perceived outcome.

appear unsuccessful

Substitutes "fail" with "unsuccessful", offering a more direct assessment of the outcome.

appear to be faltering

Replaces "fail" with "faltering", implying a weakening or unsteady progress.

give every indication of failing

Highlights strong evidence suggesting failure, focusing on observable indicators.

present as failing

Focuses on how something is presented or perceived, rather than the actual failure itself.

portray as failing

Similar to "present as failing" but suggests a more deliberate act of portrayal.

manifest as failing

Emphasizes the outward manifestation of failure, suggesting a visible outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "appear to fail" in a sentence?

You can use "appear to fail" to describe situations where something seems to be unsuccessful. For example: "The new strategy "appear to fail" in its initial stages, but further analysis is needed."

What can I say instead of "appear to fail"?

You can use alternatives like "seem to fail", "look like failing", or "appear unsuccessful" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "appear to fail" or "seems to fail"?

"Appear to fail" and "seem to fail" are often interchangeable. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific nuance you want to convey. Both indicate a perception rather than a definitive statement.

What's the difference between "appear to fail" and "is failing"?

"Appear to fail" suggests an observation or impression of failure, while "is failing" indicates a more definite and ongoing state of failure. The former implies less certainty than the latter.