failed to occur

USAGE SUMMARY

"failed to occur" is a grammatically correct phrase that is commonly used in written English.
It means that something did not happen as expected or planned. Example: The storm failed to occur, much to the disappointment of those hoping for rain in the drought-stricken area.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

It was the first time that a much-predicted war between Serbia and a former Yugoslav republic failed to occur.

The New York Times

That could have been the signal for a meltdown that, so far at least, has failed to occur.

The New York Times

If a feared downturn failed to occur, for example, a small reduction in interest rates would be less likely to stoke future inflation.

The New York Times

Moreover, an electoral surge of extreme Islamists, some with sympathy for al-Qaeda, especially in the east, entirely failed to occur.

The Economist

While undoubtedly there was a biggest-selling brand of underwear in 1972, it apparently failed to occur to the original editors, Norris and Ross McWhirter, to grant it an entry.

The New York Times - Books

When this failed to occur, the hawks (including Britain's David Cameron) advocated that the west invade and topple him, installing a government of "our" Syrians, at peace with each other and the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

If embryonic methylation fails to occur, the embryo dies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Then when the catastrophe fails to occur scientists get the blame.

The Guardian - Opinion

We'll keep you informed of all non-events as they fail to occur.

The New York Times

After a couple of experiences when the naturally occurring vaginal lubrication that signals arousal and helps ease penetration fails to occur, a woman can begin to be anxious about it – and fearful of the pain that occurs with dry penetration.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is not known why regeneration fails to occur in many cases, as in the legs of frogs or the limbs and tails of mammals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "failed to occur" when you want to express that a planned or expected event did not happen, often implying a sense of anticipation or expectation beforehand.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "failed to occur" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "didn't happen" or "didn't go as planned" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to occur" functions as a verb phrase indicating that an anticipated event did not happen. As Ludwig AI explains, it conveys that something did not happen as expected or planned. It is used to express the non-realization of an expected action or event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failed to occur" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that an expected event did not happen. Ludwig AI confirms this, stating that it means something did not happen as expected or planned. The analysis shows that it is most frequently used in scientific and news contexts, with a neutral to formal register. While versatile, consider using simpler alternatives like "didn't happen" in informal settings. Common mistakes can be avoided by understanding its nuance, as it implies an anticipation that something would happen. In summary, while "failed to occur" is a valid phrase, choose it mindfully based on the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not happen

Replaces the more formal "failed to occur" with a simpler, more direct expression.

did not take place

Substitutes "failed to occur" with a phrase that emphasizes the absence of an event.

did not come about

Replaces "failed to occur" emphasizing the lack of realization or materialization.

fell through

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate that plans or arrangements were unsuccessful.

came to nothing

Emphasizes that efforts or plans did not yield any results.

was averted

Indicates that a negative event was successfully prevented from happening.

prove abortive

Replaces "failed to occur" with a more formal and less common phrase, emphasizes the unsuccessful nature of an attempt.

never transpired

Uses a formal word to convey that an event did not happen.

abort

Uses a short form of "failed to occur" with a nuance of intentional stop before it has happened.

prove futile

Emphasizes the lack of results or success, highlighting the ineffectiveness of an action.

FAQs

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

You can use "failed to occur" to describe an event that was expected but did not happen. For example, "The predicted economic downturn "failed to occur"."

What's a simpler way to say "failed to occur"?

Simpler alternatives to "failed to occur" include "didn't happen", "did not take place", or "didn't go as planned". The choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "failed to occur" in formal writing?

While generally suitable for formal writing, consider your audience. If clarity and conciseness are paramount, a simpler phrase like "did not happen" might be more effective.

What is the difference between "did not occur" and "failed to occur"?

"Failed to occur" implies an expectation or prediction that something would happen, whereas "did not occur" is a more neutral statement that something simply did not take place. The nuance lies in the anticipation.