failed to materialise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to materialise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something that was expected or planned did not happen or come into existence. Example: "The project was ambitious, but unfortunately, it failed to materialise due to lack of funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This hope failed to materialise.

The Economist

However, this failed to materialise.

The Guardian

Large orders from governments failed to materialise.

The Economist

When this failed to materialise, it withdrew.

The Economist

Another important promise failed to materialise.

The Guardian

The 1,500 houses failed to materialise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Desert fatigues and boots failed to materialise.

The Guardian

The purification has failed to materialise.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, the rush for electricals has failed to materialise.

Independent

And still the expected surge failed to materialise.

The Guardian - Sport

But by November the force had failed to materialise.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "failed to materialise" when you want to express that an expected event, plan, or outcome did not happen or become real. It's often used in formal writing to convey a sense of disappointment or unfulfilled expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to materialise" when a simpler term like "didn't happen" suffices. The phrase is more appropriate when there was an expectation or plan that did not come to fruition, not just for any general event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to materialise" functions as a verb phrase, typically serving as the predicate of a sentence. It indicates that an expected event, plan, or outcome did not occur. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is widely used across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failed to materialise" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the non-occurrence of an anticipated event or plan. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently employed, particularly in News & Media contexts. While synonyms like "did not happen" or "fell through" exist, "failed to materialise" adds a layer of formality. To leverage the phrase effectively, remember that its most suitable when discussing unfulfilled expectations. Ludwig's examples from sources like The Guardian and The Economist reflect this nuanced usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to come to fruition

Replaces "materialise" with "come to fruition", emphasizing the lack of successful development.

did not take place

A straightforward way of saying that an event was cancelled or did not occur.

fell through

An idiomatic expression indicating that a plan or agreement failed.

did not come about

A simpler and more direct way of saying that something didn't happen.

came to nothing

Emphasizes the lack of positive results or progress.

did not eventuate

A more formal synonym for "did not happen", emphasizing the lack of an outcome.

was not realised

Focuses on the fact that a goal or ambition was not achieved.

did not transpire

Similar to 'eventuate', it suggests that an anticipated event did not occur.

did not develop

Highlights the absence of growth or progress in a particular situation.

proved abortive

Focuses on the failure to complete or succeed, suggesting a premature end.

FAQs

What does it mean when something has "failed to materialise"?

It means that something that was planned, expected, or hoped for did not happen or become real. It implies that there was an anticipation or possibility that did not come to fruition.

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

You can use it to describe plans, promises, or expectations that were not fulfilled. For example: "The promised investment "failed to materialise", leaving the project underfunded."

Are there any synonyms for "failed to materialise"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "did not happen", "did not come to fruition", or "fell through" as alternatives, depending on the context.

Is "failed to materialise" a formal or informal expression?

"Failed to materialise" is generally considered a formal expression. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "didn't happen" or "fell through" might be more appropriate.