did not come through

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "did not come through" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been attempted but not achieved or completed. For example, "I tried to telephone you but my call did not come through."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Germany did not come through completely unscathed.

The Guardian - Sport

Payments were missed; a big loan did not come through; the majority owners filed for bankruptcy.

The New York Times

When the loan did not come through, Mr. Sciame said, he provided bridge loans, "to keep the museum operating".

The New York Times - Arts

When the money did not come through, the liver went to someone else on the transplant list.

The New York Times

In this case the corporations that had been donors for past tours did not come through, Mr. Undercofler said.

The New York Times

"He did not come through and give me any pertinent information that made me feel like this is the one who had her," Mr. Smart said.

The New York Times

What we found was the revenues he predicted did not come through, the savings he hoped to achieve he did not, and the spending he hoped to control, he couldn't".

The New York Times

The preview produced in real-time on the virtual camera was quite low-resolution, and many facial details did not come through because there was not enough computing power, explains Mr Letteri.

The Economist

Mr. Kurkin, the Miami lawyer, said many dealers were adding clauses to their sales contracts, saying that if the rebates did not come through, the customer would have to pay the difference.

The New York Times

If you "vouched" for someone and they did not come through, like in the true story of Donnie Brasco, the consequences could be deadly.

Huffington Post

Sadly, that message did not come through.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did not come through", ensure the context clearly indicates what was expected to happen. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the message is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "did not come through" when a more specific verb would provide clarity. For instance, instead of saying "The package did not come through", specify "The package was not delivered" or "The package was lost".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not come through" functions primarily as a negative predicative expression, indicating that an expected outcome or plan failed to materialize. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English, highlighting its versatility across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did not come through" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe unmet expectations, failed plans, or promises that were not kept. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, with a neutral register that makes it appropriate for news reporting, business communication, and general conversation. While alternatives like ""failed to materialize"" or ""fell through"" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to ensure clarity in your writing by specifying what exactly "did not come through" to avoid any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fell through

Implies a plan or agreement that was initially in place but ultimately failed.

was not fulfilled

Indicates a promise, expectation, or requirement that was not met.

failed to materialize

Focuses on the non-occurrence of something that was expected.

did not work out

Suggests a plan or situation that did not proceed as hoped.

didn't happen

A simpler, more direct way of saying something did not occur as planned.

failed to deliver

Highlights a failure to provide something expected or promised.

did not succeed

A formal way of stating a lack of success.

was unsuccessful

Highlights the lack of success in an endeavor.

proved fruitless

Emphasizes the lack of positive results despite effort.

came to nothing

Emphasizes the complete failure and lack of results.

FAQs

How can I use "did not come through" in a sentence?

You can use "did not come through" to indicate that something expected failed to materialize. For instance, "The funding "did not come through", so we had to cancel the project".

What are some alternatives to "did not come through"?

Alternatives include "failed to materialize", "fell through", or "was unsuccessful". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "didn't come through" instead of "did not come through"?

"Didn't come through" is a contraction of "did not come through" and is perfectly acceptable in informal contexts. Both phrases have the same meaning.

When should I use "did not come through" versus "did not get through"?

"Did not come through" typically refers to unmet expectations or failed plans, while "did not get through" often relates to communication or physical barriers. For example, "My message did not get through" implies a communication failure, while "The deal "did not come through"" suggests a failed agreement.