failed to predict

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to predict" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used in a variety of sentences to describe an unsuccessful attempt at predicting something. Example: The weather forecast failed to predict the sudden thunderstorm, leaving many outdoor events ruined.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The World in 2008 failed to predict any of this.

The Economist

We failed to predict a military coup in Egypt.

The Economist

Practically every pollster failed to predict the result.

Independent

However, T2 PTSS failed to predict T3 PTSS.

Journal of Anxiety Disorders

Even though Vivian understood every step, she says, her physical intuition failed to predict the result.

Princeton University

In Israel this March, polls failed to predict Benjamin Netanyahu's victory.

The New Yorker

There was a rub, however, and this, too, our seers and experts failed to predict.

The New York Times

It's the reason why just about everyone failed to predict Trump's astronomical rise.

The Guardian

However, everybody failed to predict just how gigantic Jurassic World would turn out to be.

The Guardian - Film

"Both groups, for example, failed to predict the recession in 1974".

The New York Times

The World in 2008 failed to predict any of this," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to predict", ensure that the context clearly identifies what was not predicted and the consequences of that failure. For example, "Economists failed to predict the severity of the recession, leading to inadequate policy responses."

Common error

Avoid using "failed to predict" when the outcome was merely uncertain or difficult to foresee. Reserve it for situations where there was a reasonable expectation of accurate prediction based on available data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to predict" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an inability or lack of success in foreseeing a future event or outcome. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage across various contexts to denote a miscalculation or lack of anticipation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

42%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failed to predict" is a versatile verb phrase used to indicate an inability to foresee or anticipate an outcome, as validated by Ludwig's AI analysis. It commonly appears in scientific and news contexts, and enjoys a neutral register suitable for broad application. While grammatically sound, using related phrases such as "could not foresee" or "did not anticipate" can add nuance and precision to your writing. Ensure that when you use "failed to predict", the context clearly defines what was not predicted and why it matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could not foresee

Focuses on the inability to see something in advance.

did not anticipate

Emphasizes a lack of expectation or preparation for an event.

were unable to predict

A more formal way of expressing the inability to predict.

missed the mark in predicting

Highlights the inaccuracy of a prediction.

were wrong about

A simpler and more direct way of saying a prediction was incorrect.

proved unable to foresee

Similar to "could not foresee" but emphasizes the eventual outcome.

did not expect

Focuses on the surprise element when an outcome was different than envisioned.

underestimated

Highlights a misjudgment of the scale, impact, or likelihood of something.

were caught off guard by

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of an event.

got it wrong about

An informal way of saying a prediction was incorrect.

FAQs

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

Use "failed to predict" to indicate that someone or something was unable to foresee a future event. For example, "Polls "failed to predict" the outcome of the election".

What are some alternatives to "failed to predict"?

You can use alternatives like "could not foresee", "did not anticipate", or "were unable to predict" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "failed to predict" or "did not predict"?

"Failed to predict" implies an expectation or attempt to predict, while "did not predict" is a neutral statement that simply indicates a lack of prediction. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "failed to predict" and "wrongly predicted"?

"Failed to predict" suggests an inability to foresee an event, while "wrongly predicted" indicates that a prediction was made but turned out to be incorrect. They have overlapping meanings, but "wrongly predicted" implies an assertion that proved false, and "failed to predict" implies an inability.