fail to rise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to rise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something does not increase or improve as expected. Example: "Despite the efforts to boost sales, the numbers continue to fail to rise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Could the sun fail to rise?

The New York Times

Once it came to the crunch, democracy would fail to rise to the occasion.

The Guardian - Books

In looking for similarities, the news is homogenised and breaking stories fail to rise to prominence.

The Guardian - Tech

Wind chills often fail to rise above zero for days at a time.

The New York Times

This can provide a lens through which to study other developing societies that fail to rise against oppression.

Stanford University

Only in Europe did the number of Catholics fail to rise, according to the new Vatican figures.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Michele Bachmann fails to rise to the bait.

The Economist

Ashton failed to rise to the occasion.

The Guardian

Not surprisingly, scores failed to rise again.

The New York Times

Tragically, the Chancellor failed to rise to the challenge.

The New Yorker

Ma tried and failed to rise from the porch swing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fail to rise", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is expected to increase or improve. For example, "If sales fail to rise this quarter, we will need to adjust our marketing strategy."

Common error

Avoid using "fail to rise" when a more direct verb like "decline" or "decrease" would be more accurate. "Fail to rise" implies a lack of expected increase, not necessarily an actual decrease.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to rise" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating a lack of increase, improvement, or upward movement. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correct usage. Examples show it describing stagnant economies, temperatures, or even personal performances. For instance, "If profits fail to rise further then the market will run into some difficulty."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

16%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

12%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fail to rise" is a versatile verb phrase used to express a lack of expected increase or improvement. It’s grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, from news and media to academic and scientific writing, as confirmed by Ludwig. While generally neutral in tone, it often carries a sense of disappointment or concern. When using "fail to rise", ensure that the context is clear and consider if more direct alternatives like "not increase" or "decline" might be more appropriate, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not increase

Focuses specifically on the absence of an increase in quantity or level.

remain stagnant

Emphasizes a lack of movement or progress, suggesting a static state.

fall short

Highlights a failure to reach a desired standard or expectation.

not improve

Directly states the absence of positive change or betterment.

decline

Suggests a downward trend or deterioration.

not succeed

Focuses on the lack of a positive outcome or accomplishment.

flatline

Indicates a complete lack of change, often used in a business context.

stagnate

Similar to 'remain stagnant', but can imply a more negative or undesirable situation.

not develop

Implies a lack of growth or advancement over time.

prove inadequate

Highlights the inability to meet a specific need or requirement.

FAQs

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

Use "fail to rise" to describe a situation where something does not increase or improve as expected. For instance, "If profits "fail to rise", we'll need to reconsider our budget."

What's a good alternative to "fail to rise"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "not increase", "remain stagnant", or "fall short" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it more appropriate to use "fails to rise" or "failed to rise"?

The appropriate tense depends on the context. "Fails to rise" is present tense, used for ongoing or habitual situations. "Failed to rise" is past tense, used for completed events. For example, "The temperature fails to rise above freezing today" versus "The stock price failed to rise yesterday."

What does it mean when someone says something "failed to rise to the occasion"?

This means that someone did not perform as well as expected or needed in a particular situation. It suggests a lack of ability, preparedness, or effort. This usage is idiomatic and focuses on personal performance rather than a general lack of increase.