did not show

USAGE SUMMARY

"did not show" is a perfectly acceptable and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used in the past tense to describe an action that didn't take place or wasn't visible. For example, "I expected the workers to be punctual, but they did not show up on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He did not show up.

The New York Times

She did not show up.

The New York Times

He did not show.

The New York Times

The Taliban did not show themselves.

The New York Times

"Our research did not show that".

The New York Times - Health

"My friend did not show up".

The New Yorker

Still, some people did not show up.

The New York Times

The videos did not show any beating.

The New York Times

The armed escort did not show up.

The Economist

The auditor did not show.

The New York Times

Mr. Easley did not show.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did not show", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what was expected to be present or visible. This avoids ambiguity and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "did not show" when a more specific verb like "cancel", "decline", or "ignore" would better convey the precise reason for the absence. Always aim for the most accurate description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not show" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the absence of someone or something expected. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing missed appointments, lack of visible evidence, or absence of expected results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

34%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "did not show" is a versatile verb phrase used to express absence, lack of visibility, or failure to materialize. As shown by Ludwig, it appears frequently in both scientific and news contexts. The phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse forms of communication. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, reinforcing its reliability in expressing these concepts clearly and concisely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to appear

Replaces "did not show" with a more formal tone, emphasizing a failure to be present.

was absent

Offers a direct substitution, focusing on the state of being away or not present.

did not attend

Specifically refers to missing an event or meeting.

never materialized

Emphasizes the non-occurrence or failure to happen, suitable when referring to plans or expectations.

remained unseen

Shifts focus to lack of visibility rather than absence, applicable when something was expected to be seen.

was nowhere to be found

Suggests an active search with no result, adding a sense of mystery or concern.

proved to be absent

Highlights the confirmation of absence after a period of uncertainty.

came to naught

Indicates that an effort or expectation resulted in nothing, emphasizing futility.

did not surface

Implies something hidden or submerged that was expected to become visible or known.

was not in evidence

Suggests a lack of proof or support, often used in legal or investigatory contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "did not show" to indicate someone's absence: "He "did not show" up for the meeting." Alternatively, it can express a lack of visibility: "The data "did not show" any significant trends."

What are some alternatives to "did not show"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "failed to appear", "was absent", "did not attend", or "never materialized".

Is there a difference between "did not show up" and "did not show"?

"Did not show up" typically refers to a person's failure to attend an event or appointment. "Did not show", while sometimes interchangeable, can also describe a lack of visible evidence or results, as in, "The tests "did not show" any abnormalities."

When is it appropriate to use "failed to appear" instead of "did not show"?

"Failed to appear" is more formal and often used in official contexts, such as legal or professional settings, while "did not show" is more neutral and widely applicable. Consider formality and choose "failed to appear" when precision is needed.