fail to meet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'fail to meet' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone did not reach a certain standard, expectation, or goal. For example: The team failed to meet their sales targets for the month.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Didn't the Federal Reserve fail to meet its mandates, fail to meet it responsibilities?" she added.

The New York Times

Some vehicles fail to meet expectations from the very start.

The New York Times

become involved when his grades fail to meet their standards.

The New York Times

Previously known PIR schemes severely fail to meet this goal.

Journal of Computer and System Sciences

Many children worldwide fail to meet physical activity recommendations.

Journal of Transport & Health

Its outcomes tend to fail to meet their needs.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

She didn't fail to meet with government ministers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Politics and reality fail to meet yet again.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many new cars fail to meet this standard.

The New York Times

The nation will fail to meet almost all the MDGs.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

If we fail to meet it, we get in trouble.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fail to meet", ensure the context clearly defines the expectation, standard, or goal that is not being achieved. For example, "The project failed to meet the deadline" specifies the unmet expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "fail to meet" without specifying what is not being met. Saying "The product failed to meet expectations" is less effective than "The product failed to meet the advertised specifications."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to meet" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of fulfillment or achievement. It describes the inability to satisfy a requirement, standard, or expectation, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fail to meet" is a versatile and widely used phrase that describes a lack of fulfillment or achievement. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, although clarity is essential to specify what expectation is not being met. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science sources, it maintains a neutral register. For alternatives, consider "fall short of" or "do not achieve" depending on the nuance you want to convey. Remember to avoid vague statements and clearly define what standards are not being fulfilled when using the phrase "fail to meet".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall short of

This alternative phrase replaces "fail to meet" with a more concise expression indicating a lack of attainment.

do not achieve

This substitutes "fail to meet" with a direct statement of non-achievement, focusing on the lack of success.

miss the mark

This idiomatic alternative implies a failure to reach a target or expectation, adding a figurative element.

not up to par

This replaces "fail to meet" with an expression indicating that something does not reach the required standard of quality or performance.

prove inadequate for

This alternative highlights the insufficiency of something to fulfill a particular purpose or requirement.

be deficient in

This phrase focuses on the lacking qualities or components, indicating a failure to satisfy specific criteria.

cannot satisfy

This replaces "fail to meet" with a direct statement of inability to fulfill a specific requirement or need.

be unsuccessful in fulfilling

This alternative emphasizes the lack of success in completing or achieving a set goal.

lack the ability to fulfill

This phrase highlights the absence of the necessary skills or resources to meet a certain demand or requirement.

be unable to measure up to

This alternative signifies an inability to reach a certain level or standard, especially in comparison to others.

FAQs

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

You can use "fail to meet" to describe a situation where something or someone does not reach a required standard or expectation. For example, "The company "failed to meet" its quarterly sales target".

What are some alternatives to "fail to meet"?

Some alternatives include "fall short of", "do not achieve", and "miss the mark". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "fail to meet" or "not meet"?

"Fail to meet" emphasizes a lack of success or an inability to achieve a standard. "Not meet" is a more neutral statement. The choice depends on the intended emphasis; "fail to meet" often carries a stronger negative connotation.

What's the difference between "fail to meet" and "unable to meet"?

"Fail to meet" indicates that something was attempted but was unsuccessful. "Unable to meet" suggests a lack of capacity or possibility to meet a requirement. For example, "Due to technical difficulties, we were "unable to meet" the deadline."