failed to attend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to attend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone did not show up for an event, meeting, or appointment. Example: "She failed to attend the important meeting, which caused some delays in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In the immediate colposcopy arm, non-attenders failed to attend the two appointments offered.

British Medical Journal

She failed to attend the trial, saying she was depressed.

The Guardian

Two Labour and one Lib Dem failed to attend.

The Guardian

He then failed to attend his follow-up appointment.

The Guardian

Not cancelled appointments, just appointments that patients failed to attend.

The Guardian

Residents were sometimes fined or whipped if they failed to attend the established church.

The New York Times

Kony, however, again failed to attend a scheduled meeting to sign the peace agreement.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hani Hanjour arrived in December 2000 but became illegal when he failed to attend school.

The New York Times

He did not inform the Titans and failed to attend a team meeting yesterday.

The New York Times - Sports

Police were alerted after he failed to attend his designated overnight residence address that night.

The Guardian

Or Mr Ashley, now the executive deputy chairman, who has failed to attend four board meetings.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to attend", ensure the context clearly indicates the event or appointment that was missed. Providing specific details enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to attended". The correct form is "failed to attend", as "attend" should be in its base form after "to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to attend" functions as a verb phrase indicating the omission of participation in a scheduled event or appointment. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Examples show its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

46%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failed to attend" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe someone's absence from a scheduled event. As noted by Ludwig AI, its correctness and applicability are well-established. Predominantly found in News & Media and scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal register. When writing, ensure the context is clear about the missed event, and avoid the common error of using "failed to attended". For alternative phrasing, "did not attend" offers a simple substitute.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not attend

A direct and simple substitution, maintaining the original meaning.

was absent from

Emphasizes the state of being away from the event.

missed

A more concise way of saying someone didn't make it.

did not show up for

Informal and emphasizes the act of not appearing.

neglected to attend

Indicates a possible oversight or lack of diligence.

was a no-show at

Highlights the unexpected absence, often in a professional context.

remained absent from

Stresses a continued state of non-attendance.

passed up attending

Implies a conscious decision not to be present.

skipped

An informal and casual way to express absence.

defaulted on attending

Suggests a prior commitment that was not fulfilled.

FAQs

What is the simplest way to say "failed to attend"?

A simple alternative is "did not attend", which conveys the same meaning directly.

When is it appropriate to use "failed to attend" in writing?

It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts when you need to state that someone did not show up for a scheduled event, meeting, or appointment. However, you might consider using a more specific term like "missed" or "skipped" in informal settings.

What's the difference between "failed to attend" and "did not attend"?

The difference is subtle. "Failed to attend" might imply a stronger sense of obligation or expectation, whereas "did not attend" is a more neutral statement of fact.

What are some more formal alternatives to "failed to attend"?

More formal alternatives include "was absent from" or "neglected to attend", especially when implying a duty or responsibility was not met.