did not secure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not secure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was not obtained or achieved, often in contexts related to safety, agreements, or resources. Example: "The company did not secure the necessary funding to complete the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Democrats did not secure all they wanted.

The New York Times

Facebook did not secure confirmation that the models had also been deleted until April 2017.

The Guardian

The sad finale is that Blackpool did not secure Premier League safety before Adam departed.

The Guardian - Sport

There, in a regional election last October, the M5S came first but did not secure the governorship.

The Economist

The families of two men convicted of the murder complain that they did not secure their release.

The Economist

The suit alleges that the homeowner did not secure the proper permits and approvals for the changes.

The New York Times

Volckertsen did not secure legal title until 1645, when he may have decided to build a more substantial dwelling.

The New York Times

However, it did not secure an ongoing commercial relationship with John Lewis, despite what Andrew calls a "really successful pilot".

The Guardian

Nero later helped load Gray into the police van but did not secure him with a seat belt.

The Washington Post

His journey to the UK at 15 did not secure him and his family the future they had hoped for.

The Guardian

The publishers engaged the authors as independent contractors under contracts that did not secure an author's consent to placement of articles in an electronic database.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did not secure", ensure the context clearly specifies what was not obtained and why it matters. For example, "The team did not secure funding, leading to project delays."

Common error

Avoid using "did not secure" when a simpler verb like 'get' or 'find' is more appropriate. "Did not secure a parking space" sounds unnecessarily formal; "didn't find a parking space" is better.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not secure" functions primarily as a negative verb phrase, indicating the absence of a successful outcome or attainment of something. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct. It's a construction used to express the failure to achieve a goal or obtain a resource, like funding or an agreement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did not secure" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates a failure to obtain or achieve something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. Its usage spans from news reporting to academic writing, generally maintaining a neutral tone. When employing this phrase, clarity regarding the object of the verb "secure" is crucial to ensure effective communication. Remember to select synonyms carefully to reflect the specific nuance you wish to convey, such as emphasizing the effort made or highlighting a lost opportunity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to obtain

Replaces "did not secure" with a more direct expression of failure to get something.

were unable to acquire

Uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the inability to get possession of something.

did not manage to get

Focuses on the lack of success in achieving or obtaining something.

missed out on obtaining

Highlights the lost opportunity to secure something.

could not attain

A more formal way of saying that something was not reached or achieved.

fell short of securing

Emphasizes the effort made but the ultimate failure to achieve the desired outcome.

were unsuccessful in acquiring

A formal and emphatic way of expressing the lack of success in getting something.

were denied the opportunity to secure

Indicates that the chance to secure something was taken away.

never managed to lock down

An informal alternative that means to finalize or secure an agreement.

didn't succeed in getting

A straightforward alternative focusing on the lack of success.

FAQs

How to use "did not secure" in a sentence?

Use "did not secure" to indicate that someone or something failed to obtain or achieve a specific outcome. For example, "The company "did not secure" the contract due to budget constraints."

What can I say instead of "did not secure"?

You can use alternatives like "failed to obtain", "were unable to acquire", or "did not manage to get" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "did not secure" or "failed to secure"?

Both "did not secure" and "failed to secure" are correct and often interchangeable. However, "failed to secure" /s/failed+to+secure might carry a slightly stronger emphasis on the failure itself.

What's the difference between "did not secure" and "did not ensure"?

"Did not secure" means failing to obtain something, while "did not ensure" means failing to guarantee or make certain something would happen. They have distinct meanings and cannot be used interchangeably.