fail to establish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to establish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone or something does not succeed in creating or proving a particular point, relationship, or foundation. Example: "The research findings fail to establish a clear link between diet and health outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nerve cells that fail to establish connections die.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Plants seeded during ecological restoration sometimes persist but more often fail to establish.

Ecological Modelling

She added: "We believe that those who fail to establish a genuine fear of persecution should return home voluntarily.

Independent

(Indeed, many probably fail to establish themselves at all but those failures, of course, are never noticed).

The Economist

We believe that those who fail to establish a genuine fear of persecution should return home voluntarily.

The Guardian

The affidavits submitted by Plaintiffs fail to establish standing on behalf of any of their individual members.

Harvard University

As the protagonists try, and fail, to establish connections with other human beings, Ohlin charts their small victories and larger disappointments.

The New Yorker

It could also be that the heart does generate many new muscle cells after a heart attack but that the cells fail to establish themselves.

The New York Times - Science

But they are alarmingly short on detail, and, worse, they fail to establish interim goals against which to measure progress as the plan goes forward.

The New York Times

Just as significantly, by reducing propinquity, they discourage social cohesion and fail to establish the critical mass which is a prerequisite for urban living.

The Guardian

The vast majority of young Arabs are increasingly rejecting Islamic State and believe the extremist group will fail to establish a caliphate, a poll has found.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fail to establish", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is not being successfully created, proven, or initiated. Clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, repeatedly using "fail to establish" in informal writing can make your text sound overly formal or stiff. In such contexts, consider using simpler alternatives like "doesn't create" or "can't set up" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to establish" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of success in creating, proving, or initiating something. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it's used to express the inability to form connections, prove claims, or set up systems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fail to establish" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to denote a lack of success in creating, proving, or initiating something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in science, news, and academic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When writing, consider the context to ensure the phrase aligns with the desired tone, and be mindful of overuse in informal settings. Alternatives like "unable to establish" or "do not establish" can provide variety while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to establish

Focuses on the inability rather than the failure to act.

do not establish

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

cannot establish

Highlights the impossibility of establishing something.

prove unsuccessful in establishing

Emphasizes the unsuccessful nature of the attempt to establish.

fall short of establishing

Indicates a failure to reach the point of establishing something.

not succeed in establishing

A more explicit way of stating the failure to achieve establishment.

be unable to set up

Uses a phrasal verb to convey the lack of ability to create or organize.

be unsuccessful in creating

Focuses on the lack of success in the creation process.

do not manage to set up

Suggests a lack of effort or capability in setting something up.

neglect to establish

Suggests that it was not intentional.

FAQs

How to use "fail to establish" in a sentence?

Use "fail to establish" to describe the lack of success in creating or proving something. For example, "The researchers "fail to establish" a direct link between the two variables."

What can I say instead of "fail to establish"?

You can use alternatives like "unable to establish", "do not establish", or "cannot establish" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "fail to establish" or "fails to establish"?

"Fail to establish" is used with plural subjects, while "fails to establish" is used with singular subjects. For example, "They "fail to establish" a connection" versus "He "fails to establish" a connection."

What's the difference between "fail to establish" and "neglect to establish"?

"Fail to establish" implies a lack of success, whereas "neglect to establish" suggests a lack of intention or attention to establishing something.