failed to gain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to gain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an unsuccessful attempt to achieve or acquire something, such as support, approval, or a desired outcome. Example: "The candidate failed to gain the necessary votes to secure the nomination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

But Milice failed to gain their trust.

The New York Times

Those measures failed to gain any traction.

The New York Times

Crossbench amendments failed to gain adequate support.

The Guardian

And Britain failed to gain any benefits.

The Guardian

Royal failed to gain the seat.

The Guardian

The bill failed to gain any traction.

The New York Times - Magazine

Its agenda failed to gain much traction until recent months.

The New York Times

She failed to gain traction in the Grand Slam tournaments.

The New York Times - Sports

This has clearly failed to gain professional support".

The Guardian

But that proposal failed to gain sufficient traction.

The New York Times

But the show failed to gain an audience.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to gain", ensure the context clearly indicates what was unsuccessfully attempted to be acquired or achieved. For example, "The campaign failed to gain sufficient support".

Common error

Avoid using "failed to gain" when a more direct verb would be clearer. For instance, instead of "The company failed to gain profits", consider "The company lost money."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to gain" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the absence of achieving a desired outcome. Ludwig confirms that it's grammatically sound. This is evident in examples like "failed to gain support" or "failed to gain traction".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Wiki

3%

TechCrunch

2%

Less common in

Vice

1%

Huffington Post

1%

Los Angeles Times

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failed to gain" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to express a lack of success in achieving or acquiring something. As Ludwig confirms, it appears frequently in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, it carries a somewhat negative connotation. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the context clearly states what was unsuccessfully attempted. Consider alternatives like "did not achieve" or "was unable to secure" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not achieve

Focuses on the lack of accomplishment.

was unable to secure

Highlights the inability to obtain something desired.

did not attain

Emphasizes the lack of reaching a particular level or status.

fell short of acquiring

Indicates a deficiency in the process of obtaining something.

missed out on obtaining

Suggests a lost opportunity to get something.

proved unsuccessful in achieving

Highlights the lack of success in reaching a goal.

could not acquire

States the inability to get possession of something.

was deficient in obtaining

Highlights a lack or shortage in securing something.

did not succeed in acquiring

Emphasizes the absence of success in the process of getting something.

lost out on achieving

Implies a loss of an opportunity or chance for accomplishment.

FAQs

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

Use "failed to gain" to describe an unsuccessful attempt to acquire or achieve something. For example, "The proposal "failed to gain support" from the committee".

What are some alternatives to "failed to gain"?

You can use alternatives like "did not achieve", "was unable to secure", or "did not attain" depending on the specific context. For example, instead of "failed to gain traction", you might say "did not achieve traction".

Is there a difference between "failed to gain" and "failed to obtain"?

While similar, "failed to gain" often implies a broader sense of acquiring something intangible like support or momentum, whereas "failed to obtain" is typically used for tangible items or specific goals. Using "failed to obtain permission" is more specific than "failed to gain permission".

When is it better to use a more direct verb instead of "failed to gain"?

In situations where a direct verb can replace the phrase for clarity and conciseness. For instance, instead of "The team failed to gain points", you can simply say "the team scored no points".