do not thrive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do not thrive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not flourishing or succeeding, often in a context discussing growth or well-being. Example: "In harsh conditions, many plants do not thrive and struggle to survive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Immature players do not thrive in his system.

The New York Times

Parties do not thrive under the certainty of defeat.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the military, those seen as weak do not thrive.

The Guardian - Opinion

But many do not thrive absent a government to protect them.

The New York Times

Segmented societies do not thrive, nor do ones, like ours, with diminishing social trust.

The New York Times

Culturing bacteria is time-consuming, and many bacteria do not thrive in captivity.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Some babies just don't thrive.

Independent

While I am attracted to interesting ideas, ideas without business backbones don't thrive.

The New York Times

They don't thrive if they try to ignore their biggest problems forever.

The New York Times

Cindy Samborski, a registered nurse, said boredom was rare: "If you don't thrive in one field, you can try another".

Independent

(You can buy them in England from Beeches Nursery, 01799 584362, but they don't thrive in captivity).

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing conditions necessary for growth, use "do not thrive" to highlight the absence of those conditions. For example, "Plants do not thrive without adequate sunlight and water."

Common error

Avoid using "do not thrive" in situations where simpler terms like "fail" or "decline" would be more appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly dramatic or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not thrive" functions as a negative predicator, indicating that a subject is not experiencing successful growth, development, or prosperity. Ludwig examples illustrate this in various contexts, from biological organisms to societal structures.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "do not thrive" is a frequently used phrase that correctly expresses a lack of growth or success. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely applicable across diverse contexts, with its usage particularly prevalent in news, science, and encyclopedia sources. The phrase serves to describe conditions that prevent flourishing, and while it has neutral to formal registers, be aware of contexts where simpler words could be preferred. "Do not thrive" delivers meaning and offers precise insight into situations lacking positive development.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fail to flourish

Emphasizes a lack of healthy growth or development.

do not prosper

Focuses on a lack of financial or material success.

do not succeed

Highlights the absence of achieving desired outcomes.

do not fare well

Suggests a lack of positive progress or good fortune.

struggle to survive

Indicates difficulty in maintaining existence.

wither and die

Emphasizes a decline and eventual cessation of life or activity.

languish

Implies a state of weakness, stagnation, or decline.

fall by the wayside

Suggests failing to continue or progress, often due to difficulties.

flatline

Denotes a condition that is static with no growth or progress, often related to business.

come to nothing

Emphasizes the lack of a positive or successful outcome after some period of time.

FAQs

What does "do not thrive" mean?

The phrase "do not thrive" means to not grow, develop, or flourish successfully. It indicates a lack of progress or well-being in a particular environment or situation.

What can I say instead of "do not thrive"?

You can use alternatives like "fail to flourish", "do not prosper", or "do not succeed" depending on the context.

How to use "do not thrive" in a sentence?

You can use "do not thrive" to describe conditions where something or someone struggles. For example, "Businesses do not thrive in an unstable economy" or "Certain plants do not thrive in cold climates."

Is it better to say "do not thrive" or "don't thrive"?

Both "do not thrive" and "don't thrive" are grammatically correct. "Do not thrive" is more formal, while "don't thrive" is more informal and commonly used in everyday conversation.