did not reach

USAGE SUMMARY

"did not reach" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone failing to reach a desired destination or goal. For example, "Despite her best efforts, she did not reach the top of the mountain."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Here, the Jets did not reach consensus.

The New York Times - Sports

"I certainly did not reach it lightly.

The New York Times

That streak did not reach 31.

The New York Times - Sports

However this did not reach statistical significance.

Gait & Posture

Three did not reach that issue.

Cornell University

The bombs did not reach their target.

The Guardian

That news, apparently, did not reach Foxborough.

The New York Times

That promise did not reach fruition quickly.

The New York Times

"But he did not reach out.

The New York Times

Dietary effects did not reach significance in subordinate follicles.

Animal Reproduction Science

These differences however did not reach the statistical significance.

Journal of Clinical Virology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did not reach", ensure the context clearly indicates what was not attained. For example, "The team did not reach its fundraising goal" is more effective than "The team did not reach."

Common error

Avoid stating that something "did not reach significance" without specifying the type of significance. Statistical significance is a common context, but always clarify the parameter. For example: "The results did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.06)".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not reach" primarily functions as a verb phrase expressing a lack of attainment or achievement. Ludwig shows this across examples, indicating failure to achieve a goal, statistical significance, or physical destination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

29%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "did not reach" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase expressing a failure to attain a goal or target. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in scientific, news, and academic contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure clarity by specifying what was not reached. Alternative phrases include "failed to attain" and "fell short of". Avoid the common mistake of omitting the specific parameter when discussing statistical significance. Whether it's a fundraising goal, a scientific conclusion, or a physical destination, "did not reach" effectively communicates a lack of achievement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not achieve

This alternative is a direct synonym, focusing on the lack of accomplishment.

did not accomplish

Similar to "did not achieve", but with a stronger emphasis on the completion of a task.

was unable to reach

This phrase highlights the inability or lack of capacity to achieve something.

failed to attain

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes a lack of success in achieving something planned or intended.

fell short of

This phrase suggests a failure to reach a specific standard or expectation.

failed to meet

This phrase emphasizes a failure to satisfy a requirement or expectation.

came up short

Similar to "fell short of", this phrase suggests a failure to reach a desired level or amount.

missed the mark

This idiom suggests a failure to achieve a target or goal, often with a sense of error or misjudgment.

proved insufficient

This alternative is more formal and indicates that something was not adequate to achieve the desired result.

did not materialize

This phrase suggests that something expected or planned did not come into being or occur.

FAQs

How can I use "did not reach" in a sentence?

You can use "did not reach" to indicate a failure to attain a goal, target, or conclusion. For example, "The project "did not reach" its deadline" or "The investigation "did not reach" a definitive conclusion".

What are some alternatives to "did not reach"?

Alternatives include "failed to attain", "fell short of", or "did not achieve", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "did not reach" or "failed to reach"?

Both "did not reach" and "failed to reach" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on stylistic preference or the specific context. "Failed to reach" might carry a slightly stronger connotation of failure.

When is it appropriate to use "did not reach statistical significance"?

Use "did not reach statistical significance" when describing the results of a statistical analysis where the p-value is above the chosen significance level (e.g., p > 0.05). This indicates that the observed effect is not likely due to chance.