fail to achieve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to achieve" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate when someone does not succeed in reaching an intended aim or goal. Example sentence: Despite her hard work, she failed to achieve her goal of getting an A in math.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As a result, they fail to achieve their full potential.

Stanford University

Current procedures for Graves' exophthalmos fail to achieve complete correction.

Stanford University

But well-intentioned central directives often fail to achieve much.

The Economist

Conservative therapeutic regimens often fail to achieve sufficient pain relief.

The Spine Journal

Current management strategies often fail to achieve satisfactory pain relief.

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management

Communities that fail to achieve their standards in five years are given five-year extensions.

The New York Times

Even more worryingly, too many students fail to achieve because of poor teaching.

The Guardian

Among those in school many drop out prematurely or fail to achieve basic literacy and numeracy.

The Guardian

After all, many of us set goals for ourselves every year that we fail to achieve.

Harvard University

If the activists fail to achieve their desired outcome, the long-term return is modestly negative.

Columbia University

Some artists are bad because they so obviously fail to achieve what they intend.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about goals, clarify what was not achieved and, if possible, the reasons for the failure. This provides context and allows for a more nuanced understanding of the situation.

Common error

Don't just say something "failed to achieve". Instead, specify what the subject failed to achieve, providing detail for clarity and impact. For instance, "The project failed to achieve its revenue targets" is more effective than "The project failed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to achieve" functions as a verb phrase, expressing the inability or lack of success in reaching a desired outcome or goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used in English to indicate a lack of success. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

28%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fail to achieve" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a lack of success in reaching a goal or desired outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its versatility allows for use in diverse contexts, including academic, scientific, news, and business writing. To enhance clarity, always specify what exactly was not achieved and, if known, the reasons why. While numerous alternative phrases exist, selecting one depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The phrase is used in authoritative sources like The New York Times, Forbes, and Harvard Business Review and can be considered a neutral term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall short of

Emphasizes a deficiency in reaching a desired level or standard.

not succeed in

A straightforward substitute, highlighting the lack of success in a particular endeavor.

miss the mark

Suggests a failure to accurately hit a target or goal.

be unsuccessful in

Highlights the lack of a positive outcome in a specific attempt.

prove unable to

Focuses on a demonstrated lack of capability or capacity.

come up short

Indicates a failure to reach a necessary level or standard, often in a competitive context.

not manage to

Emphasizes a lack of control or ability to accomplish something.

be defeated in

Implies a loss or failure, often in a more direct and confrontational context.

not accomplish

Directly states the failure to complete or achieve a specific task.

be frustrated in

Suggests that efforts to achieve the goal were blocked or thwarted, implying external influence.

FAQs

How can I use "fail to achieve" in a sentence?

You can use "fail to achieve" to describe a situation where someone or something does not reach a desired outcome. For example, "The company "failed to achieve" its sales goals this quarter".

What are some alternatives to "fail to achieve"?

Some alternatives include "fall short of", "not succeed in", or "miss the mark". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "failed to achieve" often implies a stronger sense of disappointment or unexpected negative outcome compared to the more neutral "did not achieve".

What's the difference between "fail to achieve" and "succeed in achieving"?

"Fail to achieve" indicates a lack of success in reaching a specific goal, whereas "succeed in achieving" signifies successful attainment of that goal. They are direct opposites.