fail to attain

USAGE SUMMARY

'fail to attain' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when describing an effort or goal that has been unsuccessful. For example, "Despite her best efforts, she failed to attain her desired result."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

But they fail to attain that age because of accidents or unhealthy living, he said.

The New York Times - Science

§ 51.1117 Fee programs for Severe and Extreme nonattainment areas that fail to attain.

Cornell University

§ 51.1317 Fee programs for Severe and Extreme nonattainment areas that fail to attain.

Cornell University

However, recent studies reveal that a high percentage of these projects fail to attain the quality parameters required by stakeholders.

Advances in Engineering Software

Yet nearly two-thirds of those who fail to attain an A to C grade in English and maths are from backgrounds not considered to be deprived.

The Guardian

And considering that recent challengers often fail to attain a congressional leadership position for themselves, there may not be enough incentive for an alternative to Nancy Pelosi.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

But tempura ($9 to $24) fails to attain feathery lightness.

The New York Times - Food

Yet, one in four students fails to attain a high school degree.

The Washington Post

And the reason they do is because the difference failed to attain statistical significance.

Nature

The functional that has to be minimized fails to attain a minimum value.

Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics

While it was successfully launched -- and supported by Russia -- this campaign too has failed to attain its objectives.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fail to attain", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what the subject failed to achieve and why it was important. Provide context to enhance understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "fail to attain" when the situation involves a minor setback or a temporary delay. This phrase is better suited for significant failures to meet a specific goal or standard.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to attain" functions as a verb phrase indicating the inability to reach a specific goal, standard, or desired outcome. Ludwig AI suggests it's a correct and usable part of English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

38%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fail to attain" is a versatile verb phrase used to indicate a lack of achievement or success in reaching a specific goal or standard. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and its presence is common across diverse professional contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While generally neutral to formal, its formality makes it best suited for professional or academic environments rather than casual conversation. For alternative expressions, consider "fall short of", "not achieve", or "miss the mark" to introduce subtle differences in meaning or tone. When writing with "fail to attain", ensure the context clearly identifies the missed target and its importance, avoiding overuse in situations of minor setbacks. All in all, "fail to attain" proves itself a viable choice to indicate unreached goals or standards in many formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not achieve

A more direct and simple way of expressing the lack of accomplishment.

not accomplish

A straightforward synonym focusing on the lack of completion.

fall short of

This alternative emphasizes the gap between the actual result and the expected or desired level.

come up short

Similar to "fall short of", indicating a deficiency in reaching a required standard or outcome.

prove unable to reach

Highlights the inability or lack of capacity to arrive at a particular point or situation.

be unsuccessful in reaching

This alternative emphasizes that an attempt was made, but it did not succeed.

miss the mark

This idiomatic expression suggests that an attempt was made, but it didn't succeed in reaching the intended target.

be defeated in achieving

This alternative focuses on the unsuccessful struggle to accomplish something, portraying a sense of failure.

struggle and fail to get to

Emphasizes the effort put in and the ultimate failure to reach a target or outcome.

be deprived of reaching

Stresses the act of something, or someone, blocking an intended target or milestone.

FAQs

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

Use "fail to attain" when you want to express the lack of accomplishment of a goal. For example, "The project "failed to attain" its objectives due to unforeseen circumstances".

What are some alternatives to "fail to attain"?

You can use alternatives such as "fall short of", "not achieve", or "miss the mark" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "fail to attain" formal or informal?

"Fail to attain" is generally considered a neutral to formal expression. While suitable for professional and academic writing, it might sound overly formal in casual conversation.

What is the difference between "fail to attain" and "fail to obtain"?

"Fail to attain" implies a failure to reach a goal or standard, whereas "fail to obtain" refers specifically to not acquiring something tangible or intangible. Attainment is about reaching a state or level, while obtaining is about acquisition.