fail to exceed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to exceed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something does not surpass a certain level or standard. Example: "The team's performance this season failed to exceed expectations, resulting in a disappointing outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But it added that it was not professional misconduct "to fail to exceed minimum standards".

The New York Times

"Avatar" will be a great disappointment if its worldwide ticket sales fail to exceed $500m.

The Economist

Abba Lerner spelled it out in 1944 in "The Economics of Control", asking that each activity be expanded until its added social benefits fail to exceed its added social costs.

The Economist

Even though AI-enhanced security systems like surveillance cameras have been used with some success, these systems often fail to exceed their human counterparts, as they can recognize red flags but lack "total picture" judgment.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The daytime temperatures failed to exceed zero.

The New York Times - Sports

Emergency management officials and coastal residents took moderate precautions, although several said they tended not to get too worried when an approaching storm failed to exceed 70 m.p.h.

The New York Times

The company's second-quarter profit failed to exceed the $1.94 a share average forecast of 17 analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial.

The New York Times

Still, the results failed to exceed some of the most optimistic estimates, which explained a temporary drop in the shares after the report, he said.

The New York Times

Svetlana Feofanova, who has broken the world indoor mark in the pole vault three times in the last two weeks, failed to exceed her record of 15 feet 6 inches, set last Sunday in Ghent, Belgium.

The New York Times - Sports

The offense failed to exceed two earned runs for the fifth time in Glavine's past six starts, and the Mets have scored 12 runs in those games, the previous five being losses for Glavine.

The New York Times - Sports

If the work's price fails to exceed the guarantee, then the third-party guarantor acquires the work and has a new decoration for his fifth house in St Moritz.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fail to exceed", ensure the context clearly defines the expected level or standard that is not being surpassed. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "fail to exceed" without explicitly stating what the expected benchmark or target is. Without this context, the phrase becomes vague and loses its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to exceed" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of surpassing a certain level or standard. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts to express that something did not reach an expected threshold.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fail to exceed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that indicates a lack of surpassing a certain threshold or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is most frequently found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, and can be replaced with alternatives like ""fall short of"" or ""not measure up to"" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using this phrase, ensure you provide a clear context of the expected level or standard to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall short of

Indicates not reaching a target or expectation. It emphasizes the lack of attainment.

not measure up to

Implies a failure to meet a required standard or level of quality. Focuses on a comparative deficiency.

be less than

A direct comparison indicating that something is of a lower quantity or quality.

prove insufficient for

Highlights inadequacy for a specific purpose. Suggests the lack of ability to achieve a goal.

remain below

Indicates staying under a certain level. Conveys the idea of not surpassing a limit.

not attain

A formal way of expressing the failure to reach a particular level or standard.

be unable to surpass

Emphasizes the inability to go beyond a certain point. It underscores a limitation.

not be greater than

Directly states that a value or quantity does not exceed another. It's straightforward and factual.

stay under

Emphasizes the action of remaining below a given limit, often used in quantifiable contexts.

lack the capacity to exceed

Highlights an inherent limitation in ability. It focuses on a fundamental constraint.

FAQs

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

You can use "fail to exceed" when you want to express that something didn't reach a particular level or standard. For example: "The company's profits "failed to exceed" expectations this quarter".

What are some alternatives to "fail to exceed"?

You can use alternatives like "fall short of", "not measure up to", or "be less than" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "failed to meet" or "failed to exceed"?

The choice between "failed to meet" and "failed to exceed" depends on the context. "Failed to meet" suggests not reaching a required minimum, while "failed to exceed" implies not surpassing an expected higher level.

What does it mean when something "fails to exceed" expectations?

When something "fails to exceed" expectations, it means that its performance or results were not as good as anticipated or hoped for; it didn't surpass the baseline that was set.