fail to fulfill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to fulfill" is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used to indicate that something did not go as expected or planned. Example: Despite her best efforts, she failed to fulfill the requirements of the job.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Does it fail to fulfill central promises?

The New York Times

But other of McCullin's images perversely fail to fulfill the photographer's intentions.

The New Yorker

But diplomas are still supposed to convey information, and Latin diplomas fail to fulfill that function.

The New York Times

When you fail to fulfill commitments that you freely make, trust is not the result.

Harvard Business Review

Trainees who fail to fulfill this and other requirements will be considered ineligible for renewal.

Harvard University

Under what conditions do media systems actually succeed or fail to fulfill these objectives?

Harvard University

But some new buildings end up attracting criticism and controversy – they're judged weird and kinky, and they fail to fulfill their function as icons.

The Guardian

Under those rules, members of Congress are prohibited from paying government salaries to staff members who fail to fulfill their government duties.

The New York Times

Neither the state nor the classroom can replace a father or a mother, even when parents fail to fulfill their roles.

The New York Times

In any given year his company files more than 500 eviction proceedings, and can expect fully 20 percent of tenants to fail to fulfill their leases.

The New York Times

It asks countries to pledge to cut their emissions knowing that other countries will not punish them should they fail to fulfill their pledge.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fail to fulfill", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific expectation, promise, or duty was not met. For example, "The project failed to fulfill its initial objectives."

Common error

Avoid using "fail to fulfill" in excessively general contexts without specifying what was not achieved. For example, instead of saying "The system failed to fulfill," clarify with "The system failed to fulfill its security protocols."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to fulfill" acts as a verb phrase, typically functioning as the predicate of a clause. It describes the action of not meeting a requirement, obligation, or expectation. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is correct and commonly used, and many examples from Ludwig confirm this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fail to fulfill" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the non-achievement of an expectation, duty, or promise. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's frequently used across various contexts, including news, academic writing, and scientific reports. While versatile, it’s important to specify exactly what expectation was unmet for clarity. Alternatives like "fall short of" or "miss the mark" can offer subtle variations in meaning. Overall, "fail to fulfill" is a reliable choice when describing a lack of accomplishment or unmet obligations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall short of

This alternative implies a deficiency or inadequacy in reaching a desired level or standard.

miss the mark

This alternative suggests a failure to achieve a specific goal or target.

not live up to

This alternative refers to a failure to meet expectations or promises.

neglect to complete

This alternative implies a careless omission in finishing a task or duty.

omit to perform

This alternative suggests a deliberate or unintentional failure to execute a required action.

default on

This alternative focuses on the failure to meet a financial or contractual obligation.

renege on

This alternative implies breaking a promise or commitment.

be remiss in

This alternative suggests negligence or carelessness in fulfilling a responsibility.

prove inadequate for

This alternative indicates a lack of sufficient ability or resources to accomplish something.

disappointingly underperform

This alternative emphasizes a subpar performance that fails to meet expectations.

FAQs

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

You can use "fail to fulfill" to describe a missed expectation or uncompleted task. For example, "The company "failed to fulfill" its promise to deliver the product on time."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "fail to fulfill"?

Alternatives include "fall short of", "miss the mark", or "not live up to depending on the context".

Is it better to use "fail to fulfill" or "fails to fulfill"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "fail to fulfill" with plural subjects (e.g., they) and "fails to fulfill" with singular subjects (e.g., it). For example, "They "failed to fulfill" their obligations," versus "The project "fails to fulfill" expectations."

What's the difference between "fail to fulfill" and "fail to satisfy"?

"Fail to fulfill" implies not meeting a requirement or duty, while "fail to satisfy" suggests not meeting a need or expectation. For instance, a product might "fail to fulfill" a contract, but also "fail to satisfy" customers.