failed to finish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to finish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone did not complete a task or activity as intended. Example: "Despite his best efforts, he failed to finish the marathon due to an injury."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Nine cars failed to finish the race.

The New York Times

He has failed to finish only once.

The New York Times - Sports

He failed to finish high school.

The Guardian

Mika Hakkinen also failed to finish.

The New York Times - Sports

Two economists failed to finish it.

The Guardian - Opinion

He has failed to finish only one race; he failed to finish eight races last year.

The New York Times - Sports

He has failed to finish in 17 attempts.

The New York Times - Sports

(He also failed to finish in 1994 and 1996).

The New Yorker

He has failed to finish only one race this season.

The New York Times - Sports

Raich fell back on his skis and failed to finish.

The New York Times - Sports

Just as the father failed to finish off Saddam, so the son has failed to finish off Saddam.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to finish", ensure the context clearly indicates what was not completed. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Don't use "failed to finish" without specifying the task or activity. For example, instead of saying "he failed to finish", specify "he failed to finish the race".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to finish" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of not completing something. As Ludwig AI suggests, its grammatical structure is correct and frequently used in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failed to finish" is a grammatically sound and common way to express the lack of completion of an activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase sees frequent use across varied writing contexts, particularly within news and media. Although versatile, clarity is paramount; always specify what was not finished to avoid ambiguity. While options like "did not complete" offer suitable alternatives, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. By remembering these guidelines, writers can effectively utilize "failed to finish" for clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not complete

Replaces "failed" with a more neutral term; less emphasis on the negative outcome.

was unable to complete

Emphasizes the inability to finish, possibly due to circumstances.

did not succeed in finishing

Highlights the lack of success in the act of finishing.

fell short of completing

Suggests a near miss, indicating effort but ultimate failure.

abandoned the attempt to finish

Focuses on the act of giving up before completion.

was forced to withdraw

Implies an external factor caused the failure to finish.

did not manage to conclude

Replaces "finish" with "conclude", suggesting a more formal tone.

left unfinished

Highlights the incomplete state of something.

stopped before the end

Emphasizes the cessation of activity prior to the final point.

discontinued progress

Implies a deliberate halting of progress before reaching completion.

FAQs

What does "failed to finish" mean?

The phrase "failed to finish" means that someone or something did not complete a task, race, or activity. It indicates a lack of completion, often implying an unsuccessful outcome.

What can I say instead of "failed to finish"?

You can use alternatives like "did not complete", "was unable to complete", or "did not succeed in finishing" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "didn't finish" or "failed to finish"?

"Didn't finish" is more informal and suitable for casual contexts. "Failed to finish" is slightly more formal and emphasizes the unsuccessful aspect of not completing something.

What are some common reasons why someone might "fail to finish" a race?

Common reasons include injury, mechanical failure, exhaustion, or disqualification. The specific reason depends heavily on the context of the race or event.