failed to fulfill

USAGE SUMMARY

"failed to fulfill" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a sense of missed responsibility or obligation. For example: "Despite our best efforts, we have failed to fulfill our promise to finish the project by the agreed-upon deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"No one failed to fulfill their responsibilities.

The New York Times

Market-driven healthcare has resoundingly failed to fulfill that intention.

Accounting, Organizations and Society

Tyler complained that Haifa had failed to fulfill promises.

The New York Times - Sports

But the government has often failed to fulfill similar commitments.

The New York Times

"The government has failed to fulfill its obligations," he said.

The New York Times

"It failed to fulfill its responsibility to protect you".

The New York Times

Johan Santana has failed to fulfill his role as stopper.

The New York Times

Snapchat too was reprimanded over privacy promises the FTC said it had failed to fulfill.

The Guardian - Tech

Each time, Pakistan also has failed to fulfill promises it made to the United States.

The New York Times

But MF Global failed to fulfill its end of the arrangement.

The New York Times

But the government has never knowingly failed to fulfill its financial obligations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to fulfill", ensure the context clearly establishes the existence of a duty, promise, or obligation that was not met. This adds precision and prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to fulfill" in overly casual settings. Simpler alternatives like "didn't do" or "didn't finish" may be more appropriate in informal conversations or writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to fulfill" functions as a verb phrase that typically expresses a lack of completion or satisfaction of an obligation, promise, or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failed to fulfill" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that expresses a failure to meet an obligation, promise, or expectation. As Ludwig AI validates, it is appropriate for formal and neutral contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and business writing. While versatile, simpler alternatives may be preferable in casual conversation. When using "failed to fulfill", ensure the context clearly indicates a pre-existing duty or promise. Common synonyms include "failed to satisfy" and "neglected to fulfill", each carrying slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to satisfy

Indicates a failure to meet a requirement or expectation, but doesn't necessarily imply a duty.

neglected to fulfill

Emphasizes a lack of attention or care in not meeting the obligation.

failed to honor

Implies a breach of trust or promise, often in a formal or moral context.

defaulted on

Specifically refers to failing to meet a financial obligation.

reneged on

Suggests a deliberate decision to break a promise or agreement.

fell short of

Indicates a failure to reach a desired standard or level, but doesn't necessarily imply a duty.

did not meet

A more general way of expressing a failure to satisfy a requirement or expectation.

failed to deliver

Focuses on the failure to provide something promised or expected.

shirked responsibility

Highlights the avoidance of a duty or obligation.

dropped the ball

An informal expression suggesting negligence or a mistake leading to failure.

FAQs

What does "failed to fulfill" mean?

The phrase "failed to fulfill" means someone did not complete or satisfy a responsibility, promise, or expectation.

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

You can use it to describe a missed obligation, as in "The government "failed to fulfill" its promise to reduce taxes."

What are some alternatives to "failed to fulfill"?

Alternatives include "failed to satisfy", "neglected to fulfill", or "failed to honor", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "failed to fulfill"?

It's appropriate in formal or neutral contexts when emphasizing a duty or obligation that was not met. In casual settings, simpler phrases may be better.