fail to win

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to win" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone or something does not achieve victory or success in a competition or endeavor. Example: "Despite their best efforts, the team failed to win the championship this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"And these machines can't fail to win.

The Guardian - Business

Besides, what if the Feds fail to win in court?

The Economist

Technologies can fail to win public approval for a variety of reasons.

Energy Policy

But why did it fail to win serious awards?

The Guardian

Sure, we'll probably fail to win back the Ashes.

The Guardian - Sport

To fail to win a fourth looks like carelessness".

The Guardian

Where words fail to win the day, the statue comes down.

University of California, Berkeley

Winning the war will be inconsequential if we fail to win the peace.

Stanford University

Coaches make millions and lose their jobs if they fail to win.

The New York Times

If they fail to win over Otani, several major league clubs will probably bid for him.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Brentford will also be promoted if they draw and Exeter fail to win, or if Exeter City lose or Bury fail to win.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary to maintain reader engagement. Try alternatives like "did not succeed in winning" or "were unable to win" to avoid repetition.

Common error

While "fail to win" is a clear expression, repeating it multiple times in a single paragraph can make your writing sound monotonous. Instead, use synonyms or rephrase the sentence to convey the same meaning in a more engaging manner.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to win" primarily functions as a verb phrase expressing the inability or lack of success in achieving victory. Ludwig shows its common usage across various contexts, affirming its role in conveying a lack of achievement in a straightforward manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fail to win" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to indicate a lack of success or victory. Ludwig confirms its acceptability and utility across various contexts. To enhance your writing, consider using synonyms like "be unable to succeed" or "fall short of victory" to avoid repetition. Ensure clarity by understanding the nuanced differences between "fail to win" and similar expressions such as "lose". As illustrated by Ludwig, this phrase is a versatile tool for conveying outcomes in competitive situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be unable to succeed

This alternative replaces "fail" with "be unable", slightly softening the negative connotation but maintaining the core meaning of not achieving success.

not manage to triumph

This alternative uses "triumph" instead of "win", suggesting a more significant victory or achievement that was not attained.

fall short of victory

This alternative emphasizes the gap between the effort made and the ultimate goal of winning.

be defeated

This alternative focuses on the act of being overcome by an opponent, highlighting the loss rather than the lack of winning.

suffer defeat

Similar to "be defeated", this alternative emphasizes the experience of loss, adding a sense of suffering or disappointment.

be unsuccessful in the competition

This alternative is a more formal and verbose way of saying "fail to win", suitable for professional contexts.

end up losing

This alternative focuses on the outcome of the contest, where the subject concludes at a loss.

not come out on top

This alternative is an idiomatic expression that means not to achieve the highest position or win a contest.

miss out on the win

This alternative highlights the missed opportunity of achieving victory.

prove unable to secure victory

This alternative replaces "fail" with a more elaborate construction, stressing the inability to guarantee success.

FAQs

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

You can use "fail to win" to describe instances where someone or something doesn't achieve victory. For instance, "Despite their efforts, they failed to win the championship".

What are some alternatives to "fail to win"?

Consider using phrases like "be unable to succeed", "fall short of victory", or "be defeated" as alternatives, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "failed to win" or "did not win"?

"Failed to win" and "did not win" are often interchangeable, but "failed to win" can sometimes imply a stronger sense of expectation or effort that ultimately fell short. "Did not win" is more neutral.

What's the difference between "fail to win" and "lose"?

"Fail to win" focuses on the inability to achieve victory, whereas "lose" specifically indicates being defeated. "Fail to win" can be used more broadly to describe not achieving a desired outcome, while "lose" implies a direct competition or contest.