did not back up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not back up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone failed to make a copy of data or to support a claim or argument. Example: "She did not back up her files before the computer crashed, resulting in the loss of important documents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

But forward Marcel Hossa did not back up to retrieve the puck and Islanders forward Ruslan Fedotenko raced toward it and scored only eight seconds into the period.

The New York Times - Sports

In testimony before Congress last week, McCabe did not back up a claim from a White House spokeswoman that rank-and-file FBI agents had lost faith in Comey.

Huffington Post

The Times said the audio did not back up Rall's story.

The Guardian

As the party's leaked internal report demonstrates, even the flaky evidence it provided did not back up those claims.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Republicans spoke a lot about their diversity, he said, but did not back up their claims with real proof.

The New York Times

When Manning spoke to the team for the first time before the Packers game, his play did not back up his message.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

I didn't back up after that".

The New Yorker

"If you stop at that island – we recommend you do, but abandon all hope – do not back up!

The Guardian - Music

But that is not to say that Google, where data is religion, does not back up sentimental branding efforts with cold, hard data.

The New York Times - Tech

"The typical trend is that you don't back up well after winning a World Cup.

Independent

"We'll be fine as long as the Mississippi doesn't back up," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing data or digital information, ensure you clearly specify what "did not back up" refers to, for example, files, systems, or databases.

Common error

Avoid using "did not back up" when you mean a literal physical action of reversing. Use more appropriate phrases like "did not reverse" or "did not drive backwards" to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not back up" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the failure to provide support, confirmation, or a copy of something. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Sports

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "did not back up" is a versatile expression used to indicate a lack of support, confirmation, or preservation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various writing contexts. It commonly appears in news reports and media, as well as scientific publications, with a neutral register. The phrase signifies a failure to provide evidence, validate claims, or safeguard data, highlighting inconsistencies or missed actions. While alternatives like "did not support" or "did not validate" exist, "did not back up" is especially relevant when discussing data or claims that require substantiation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to back up

Synonymous, but uses "failed" to emphasize the omission or inability to create a copy.

did not support

This phrase implies a lack of endorsement or validation for a particular idea, claim, or action.

did not validate

This suggests a failure to confirm the accuracy or truthfulness of something.

did not corroborate

This term indicates a lack of evidence to strengthen or confirm a statement or finding.

did not substantiate

Implies the absence of proof or evidence to support an assertion.

did not confirm

This means failing to verify or establish the certainty of something.

didn't provide evidence

Focuses on the absence of supporting facts or information.

did not save

In the context of data, this suggests the failure to preserve information.

didn't offer proof

Highlights the lack of demonstrable verification.

did not make a copy

Specifically indicates the absence of a duplicate or backup of data.

FAQs

How can I use "did not back up" in a sentence?

You can use "did not back up" to indicate a lack of support for a claim, as in, "The evidence "did not back up" his alibi". It can also mean failing to create a copy of data, such as, "He "did not back up" his files before the crash".

What can I say instead of "did not back up"?

Alternatives include "did not support", "did not validate", or "did not save", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "failed to back up" instead of "did not back up"?

Yes, "failed to back up" is a synonymous and perfectly acceptable alternative to "did not back up". Both convey the same meaning of a missed action or lack of support.

What's the difference between "did not back up" a claim and "did not support" a claim?

While similar, ""did not back up"" often implies a lack of concrete evidence or verification, whereas "did not support" can indicate a more general disapproval or lack of endorsement, even if some evidence is present.