both fell short

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both fell short" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing two subjects that did not meet expectations or standards. For example: "In the end, both fell short of the required qualifications." Alternative expressions include "both underperformed" and "both missed the mark."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

The latter volunteered himself but his kicks both fell short, finally demoralising the vocal home support.

The Guardian - Sport

In corporate news, AT&T and Whirlpool both fell short of analyst estimates of earnings and revenue.

The New York Times

In a big week for retailers, Costco Wholesale and rival warehouse seller BJ's Wholesale Club both fell short of Wall Street profit expectations, taking shares down 1.1% and 5.1%, respectively.

Forbes

McCormick slumped 10.5% to $124.35 after its quarterly profit and revenue both fell short of expectations.

Los Angeles Times

Credit card issuer Capital One slid 6.2% to $78.20 after its profit and revenue both fell short of expectations.

Los Angeles Times

Steve Jobs and Bill Gates of Apple both fell short of completing their formal education only to establish one of the biggest software companies known to man.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski both fall short of 90%, though are well above O'Malley with Democrats at 85%and88%8% favorables, respectively, among Democrats.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cruz insisted that he could achieve the 1,237-delegate 1,237-delegatenowledged targete and Trump might buth facknowledged

The Guardian

Its two big determinants, the supply of workers and the rise in their productivity, have both fallen short.

The Economist

And he seemed to imply dissatisfaction with increases proposed by Congress and by the president, which both fall short of the agency's 1992 budget of $176 million.

The New York Times - Arts

Both fall short of Jackson as singers, but Usher has been more commercially successful than Timberlake, and his is the better voice.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "both fell short" when you want to concisely express that two distinct entities or attempts failed to reach a particular standard or expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "both fell short" when referring to more than two entities or situations; this phrase is specifically for two subjects. If more than two elements are involved, consider using phrases like "all fell short" or "none succeeded".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both fell short" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that two previously mentioned subjects failed to meet a certain standard or expectation. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "both fell short" is a commonly used phrase to indicate that two entities or attempts failed to reach a specific standard or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While generally neutral in tone, it's best used when precisely two subjects are being evaluated. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "both didn't measure up" or "both missed the mark" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both missed the mark

Emphasizes a failure to achieve the intended result or effect.

both didn't measure up

Emphasizes a failure to meet a required standard or level of quality.

both were unsuccessful

States a simple lack of success in achieving a goal.

both underperformed

Indicates a failure to perform as well as expected or predicted.

both proved inadequate

Highlights the insufficiency of something for a particular purpose.

both failed to deliver

Highlights a failure to provide something that was expected or promised.

both didn't achieve the target

Focuses on the failure to reach a specific goal or objective.

both were found wanting

Suggests a lack of necessary qualities or skills.

both disappointed

Focuses on the feeling of dissatisfaction caused by a failure to meet expectations.

both were deficient

Highlights a lack of necessary elements or qualities.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "both fell short" for variety?

Consider using alternatives like "both didn't measure up", "both missed the mark", or "both underperformed" to add variety to your writing.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "both fell short"?

The phrase "both fell short" is suitable in contexts where two distinct entities or attempts are being evaluated against a specific standard or expectation, such as in sports, business, or academics.

Is "both fell short" formal or informal?

The phrase "both fell short" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone of the writing.

Can I use "both fell short" when referring to people?

Yes, "both fell short" can be used to refer to people, such as when describing two candidates who didn't meet the requirements for a job or two athletes who didn't achieve their personal bests.