fail to show

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to show" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone does not have the desired result. For example, "The team failed to show any improvement after months of practice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Schools that fail to show "adequate yearly progress" face penalties.

The Economist

The Flying Flingy Brothers fail to show up.

The New York Times - Arts

Teachers often fail to show up for work.

The Economist

Ten of Farley's 16 "eight-and-a-halfs" fail to show up this Monday morning.

Princeton University

Empirical studies fail to show a declining negative impact of divorce over time.

Princeton University

"I couldn't fail to show up at the bicentennial celebration," he said from the palace balcony.

The Economist

Most consumers fail to show up in court, and those who do rarely have a lawyer.

The New York Times

Often they draw wages but fail to show up for work.

The Economist

Indeed, many federal programs fail to show results when subjected to large rigorous evaluations.

The New York Times

The government's own reports fail to show a public safety issue.

The New York Times

Yet much of that popular feeling may fail to show up at the polls.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fail to show" when you want to express the absence of expected results, evidence, or demonstration of a particular quality or outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "fail to show" when you mean a simple absence of something without an expectation of its presence. For example, instead of saying "The room failed to show any furniture", say "The room had no furniture."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to show" functions as a verb phrase that indicates a lack of demonstration or evidence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it correctly expresses that something does not reveal a particular quality or result. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fail to show" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a lack of demonstration, evidence, or expected results. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples across diverse fields like science, news, academia, and formal communication. While "fail to show" enjoys wide applicability, being mindful of its specific nuance is paramount to ensure precise and effective communication. When a conscious decision not to show something is what you are referring to, "refuse to show" may be a better fit instead. Alternatives like "do not reveal", "does not demonstrate" and "does not indicate" can provide nuanced options for expressing the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do not reveal

This alternative uses a more direct and concise way of saying that something isn't being shown or made apparent.

does not demonstrate

This alternative uses "demonstrate" instead of "show", implying a lack of proof or evidence.

does not display

This alternative focuses on the absence of a visual representation or manifestation.

does not indicate

This alternative focuses on the absence of a sign or signal suggesting something.

does not exhibit

This alternative implies a lack of outward manifestation of a particular quality or characteristic.

fall short of demonstrating

This alternative indicates an attempt to demonstrate something, but ultimately failing to do so.

prove unable to reveal

This alternative emphasizes the inability to uncover or disclose information.

neglect to present

This alternative implies a missed opportunity or a deliberate omission of showing something.

are not indicative of

This alternative suggests that something does not serve as a reliable sign or predictor of something else.

offer no evidence of

This alternative highlights the lack of supporting information or proof for a claim.

FAQs

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

You can use "fail to show" to indicate a lack of evidence, progress, or a desired outcome. For example, "The study "failed to show" a significant correlation between the two variables".

What are some alternatives to "fail to show"?

Alternatives include "do not reveal", "does not demonstrate", or "does not indicate" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "fail to show" or "failed to show"?

The correct tense depends on the context. Use "fail to show" for present or general statements, and "failed to show" for past events or completed actions. For example: "Studies often "fail to show" long-term effects" versus "The experiment "failed to show" any positive results".

What is the difference between "fail to show" and "refuse to show"?

"Fail to show" implies an inability or lack of success in demonstrating something, while "refuse to show" suggests a deliberate choice not to reveal something. For example, "The data "failed to show" any trends" versus "The company "refused to show" their financial records".