failed to fulfil

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to fulfil" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone did not meet a requirement, expectation, or obligation. Example: "The company failed to fulfil its promise of delivering the product on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But they failed to fulfil their promises.

The Guardian

However, they failed to fulfil these conditions.

The Guardian

Europe has failed to fulfil the historic role allocated to it.

The Guardian - Business

However, many ex-fighters say the government has failed to fulfil its promises.

The Guardian

Or is it a fad that failed to fulfil its own brief?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To the straitened expectations that he failed to fulfil by getting a degree and becoming a "creative" in advertising?

The Guardian - Books

In the process, Mr Kulov lost his job.Mr Bakiev has failed to fulfil his promises of democratic reform.

The Economist

Nigeria has consistently failed to fulfil a contract to supply its neighbour with 120m cubic feet a day.

The Economist

We might try to discover why social media has so far mostly failed to fulfil its democratising promise.

The Guardian - Opinion

The owner allegedly "failed to fulfil his obligations regarding investments", says council leader Andrey Rostenko, appointed two months ago.

The Guardian

If it is proven that they have failed to fulfil their responsibilities, they should be dismissed and stand trial".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to fulfil", ensure that the subject of the sentence is clearly identified and that the specific obligation or expectation is explicitly stated.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to fulfil" without specifying what was not fulfilled. For example, instead of saying "The project failed to fulfil", specify "The project failed to fulfil its objectives."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to fulfil" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It indicates the lack of completion or achievement of a task, promise, or obligation. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failed to fulfil" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the non-completion of an obligation, promise, or task. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using "failed to fulfil", clarity is key: ensure you specify what exactly was not fulfilled. Consider alternatives like "did not meet" or "fell short of" based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not meet

Emphasizes the failure to satisfy a requirement or expectation.

did not satisfy

Indicates a failure to meet a particular standard or need.

did not accomplish

Focuses on the lack of achievement rather than the failure to meet an obligation.

did not achieve

Highlights the absence of success in reaching a specific target.

fell short of

Suggests a deficiency in reaching a desired level or standard.

did not deliver

Emphasizes the lack of providing something expected or promised.

neglected to perform

Highlights an oversight or omission in carrying out a task.

omitted to execute

Focuses on the absence of action or performance of a specific task.

reneged on

Suggests a broken promise or commitment.

defaulted on

Implies a failure to meet a financial or contractual obligation.

FAQs

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

You can use "failed to fulfil" to indicate that someone or something did not meet an expectation, obligation, or requirement. For example, "The company "failed to fulfil" its promise of on-time delivery."

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

You can use alternatives like "did not meet", "did not achieve", or "fell short of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "failed to fulfil" or "failed to fulfill"?

"Failed to fulfil" is the correct spelling in British English. "Failed to fulfill" is correct in American English, and both are grammatically correct. This depends on the writing style guide you're following.

What's the difference between "failed to meet" and ""failed to fulfil""?

"Failed to meet" generally refers to a specific requirement or standard, whereas ""failed to fulfil"" implies not completing or performing a broader obligation or promise.