failed to become

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to become" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an unsuccessful attempt to achieve a certain status, role, or condition. Example: "Despite his efforts, he failed to become the leader of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unfortunately, the woman failed to become pregnant.

The Economist

But it still failed to become law.

The New York Times

But she failed to become pregnant.

The New York Times - Health

All neuroprotectants targeting excitotoxicity have failed to become stroke medications.

Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases

Unsurprisingly, the work failed to become a Last Night staple.

The Guardian

This paper explores why self-management support failed to become part of normal practice.

International Journal of Nursing Studies

Wearable devices have failed to become mainstream for three main reasons.

The Economist

Yet the scale has failed to become a must-have tool in American kitchens.

The New York Times

After decades of trying, Canada seems to have failed to become a whizzy, high-tech economy.

The Economist

He tried and failed to become a rival to eBay in auctions.

The Economist

Southwark and Greenwich have tried and failed to become cities as has Croydon.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "failed to become" to clearly indicate an unsuccessful transition or attempt to achieve a certain status or role. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to become" when a simpler negative statement would suffice. For instance, instead of "The project failed to become successful", consider "The project was unsuccessful". The phrase is most effective when highlighting a specific, unrealized transformation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to become" functions as a connector expressing the lack of achievement of a certain state or condition. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and widely used. It highlights an unsuccessful attempt to transform or evolve into something else, as seen in various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failed to become" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote an unsuccessful transition or a lack of attainment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile enough for both formal and informal contexts. Its primary function is to express the absence of an expected or desired outcome, indicating that something or someone did not manage to reach a particular state. It's important to use it when you specifically want to highlight the process or the attempt, rather than just stating a negative result. While "did not become" is similar, "failed to become" emphasizes the effort that was put forth but ultimately didn't yield the desired transformation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was unsuccessful in the attempt to become

A more verbose and formal alternative, stressing the failed attempt to reach a certain state.

did not succeed in becoming

More formal alternative emphasizing the lack of success in achieving a particular status.

proved incapable of becoming

Emphasizes a fundamental inability or lack of capacity to achieve a specific outcome.

did not manage to be

Replaces "become" with "manage to be", implying a lack of ability or effort.

could not evolve into

Implies a failure in a process of development or transformation, suggesting a lack of progress.

was unable to transform into

Emphasizes the inability to change into something different, highlighting a lack of potential for change.

fell short of becoming

Suggests a missed opportunity or failure to reach a desired goal or position.

never achieved the state of

Highlights the absence of a specific condition or status, focusing on the lack of attainment.

did not turn out to be

Focuses on the final outcome or result, rather than the process of becoming.

missed the chance to be

Focuses on the lost opportunity to attain a particular role or identity, indicating a regretful outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "failed to become" to describe something or someone that didn't achieve a certain status or state. For example: "The candidate "failed to become" the party leader."

What are some alternatives to saying "failed to become"?

Some alternatives include "did not succeed in becoming", "was unable to transform into", or "did not turn out to be", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "failed to become successful" or "was unsuccessful"?

While both are grammatically correct, "was unsuccessful" is often more concise and direct. "Failed to become successful" is appropriate when emphasizing the process of trying to achieve success, rather than simply the state of being successful.

What is the difference between "failed to become" and "did not become"?

"Failed to become" implies an attempt was made, whereas "did not become" is a more neutral statement that simply indicates something did not reach a certain state, regardless of any effort.