failed to achieve

USAGE SUMMARY

"failed to achieve" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone not achieving something they have attempted. For example: "Despite his best efforts, he failed to achieve his goal of becoming a professional basketball player."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Negotiations have failed to achieve significant progress.

The New York Times

We failed to achieve that.

The Guardian

I've failed to achieve what I wanted to do".

The Guardian

The government failed to achieve its stated objectives.

The Guardian

That's something our gargantuan military power has failed to achieve.

The New York Times

Its 2013 Moto X, however, failed to achieve similar results.

The Guardian - Tech

They failed to achieve political stability and security.

The Guardian

My generation had similar dreams but failed to achieve them.

The Guardian - Opinion

The activists failed to achieve that first goal.

The New Yorker

The union failed to achieve everything it had hoped.

The New York Times

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it failed to achieve wide popularity.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to achieve", clearly state what the intended goal or objective was. This provides context and makes the sentence more informative.

Common error

While "failed to achieve" is acceptable, consider using more nuanced language in highly formal or academic writing. Alternatives like "did not attain" or "was unable to accomplish" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to achieve" functions as a verb phrase expressing the negation of success in attaining a specific goal or outcome. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use across various domains to indicate a lack of accomplishment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

14%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failed to achieve" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that indicates a lack of success in reaching a goal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While generally neutral, consider more formal alternatives for academic writing. Remember to clearly state the intended goal for clarity and avoid overuse in highly formal contexts. Numerous examples are available through Ludwig to illustrate its usage. Therefore, use "failed to achieve" with confidence, keeping in mind its subtle nuances and the context of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not accomplish

Replaces "achieve" with "accomplish", focusing on the act of completing something.

did not manage to attain

Substitutes "failed" with "did not manage" and "achieve" with "attain", indicating a lack of success in reaching a goal.

was unable to reach

Emphasizes the inability to arrive at a specific outcome or objective.

fell short of accomplishing

Highlights the inadequacy in meeting the desired outcome.

proved incapable of realizing

Focuses on the demonstrated inability to bring something into reality.

did not succeed in obtaining

Indicates a lack of success in getting or acquiring something.

could not secure

Emphasizes the inability to guarantee or make certain.

was unsuccessful in its attempt to

Highlights the lack of success in a particular effort or endeavor.

was defeated in the pursuit of

Illustrates failure in the active seeking of something.

missed the mark

Uses a more metaphorical expression to describe a failure to hit the intended target or goal.

FAQs

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

Use "failed to achieve" to describe a situation where an attempt to reach a goal was unsuccessful. For example, "The negotiations "failed to achieve" significant progress".

What are some alternatives to "failed to achieve"?

You can use alternatives like "did not accomplish", "did not attain", or "was unable to reach" depending on the context.

Is "failed to achieve" formal or informal?

"Failed to achieve" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic writing.

What's the difference between "failed to achieve" and "failed to secure"?

"Failed to achieve" implies a broader inability to reach a goal, while "failed to secure" suggests a failure to obtain or guarantee something specific. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.