failed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone did not succeed in doing something or did not fulfill a particular obligation or expectation. Example: "She failed to submit her report by the deadline, which affected the project's progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(It failed to pass).

The New York Times

Girls failed to materialize.

The New Yorker

Failed to get bird.

The New Yorker

Estonia failed to qualify.

The New York Times

Toilets failed to flush.

The New York Times

Many failed to escape.

The Economist

It still failed to act.

The New York Times

They've failed to do that.

The New Yorker

They failed to take it.

The Economist

The plants failed to "Live!

The New York Times

Parliament has failed to oblige.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to", ensure the sentence clearly specifies what the subject did not succeed in doing. This provides context and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to" without clearly specifying the scope or context of the failure. For example, instead of saying "The project failed", specify what aspect of the project "failed to" meet expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to" functions as a verb phrase that indicates a lack of success or inability to perform a specific action. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is a straightforward way to express that someone or something did not achieve the intended outcome. Examples include "Estonia failed to qualify" and "The plants failed to 'Live!'"

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failed to" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that clearly indicates a lack of success or inability to perform an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When writing, ensure the scope of the failure is clearly defined, and consider alternative phrases like "did not succeed in" or "was unsuccessful in" for nuanced variations. By understanding its function, purpose, and common errors, writers can effectively use "failed to" to communicate outcomes and expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not succeed in

Emphasizes the lack of success in achieving a goal.

was unsuccessful in

Highlights the lack of a positive outcome or accomplishment.

did not manage to

Focuses on the inability to accomplish something, often due to difficulty.

proved unable to

Stresses the incapability of performing an action.

fell short of

Indicates a failure to reach a required standard or target.

neglected to

Implies an omission or a lack of attention that resulted in failure.

omitted to

Indicates a deliberate or inadvertent failure to perform an action.

was remiss in

Highlights a lapse in duty or responsibility leading to failure.

lacked the capacity to

Focuses on a fundamental inability to perform an action.

missed the opportunity to

Emphasizes that there was an option to perform the action but it was not taken.

FAQs

How can I use "failed to" in a sentence?

You can use "failed to" to indicate a lack of success or inability to achieve a specific outcome. For example, "The team "failed to meet" the deadline."

What are some alternatives to "failed to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "did not succeed in", "was unsuccessful in", or "did not manage to". Each alternative carries a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits your intended meaning.

Which is correct, "failed to" or "did not succeed to"?

"Failed to" is generally more concise and commonly used. "Did not succeed to" is less idiomatic, with a more common form being "did not succeed in".

What's the difference between "failed to" and "neglected to"?

"Failed to" indicates a lack of success, while "neglected to" implies an omission or a lack of attention that resulted in the failure. "Neglected to" carries a connotation of carelessness or oversight.