failed to reach

USAGE SUMMARY

'failed to reach' is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something did not happen or was not achieved, such as in the sentence: "The swimmer failed to reach the other end of the pool in time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A jury failed to reach a verdict.

The New York Times

The jury failed to reach a verdict.

The New Yorker

The movement failed to reach its agenda.

The New York Times - Arts

They failed to reach Italia 90.

The Guardian - Sport

For two years it has failed to reach this objective.

The Economist

Both have so far failed to reach their goals.

The New York Times

But United failed to reach an agreement with Continental Airlines.

The New York Times

The arrows failed to reach Los Angeles in time, though.

The New Yorker

Stephen MacKrill acquitted after jury failed to reach verdict.

The Guardian

Only 107 schools failed to reach that figure in 2011.

The Guardian

Davenport failed to reach the final of any major event.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "fell short of" or "did not attain" to add variety to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "reach". It should be "failed to reach a conclusion", not "failed to reach at a conclusion" or similar variations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to reach" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of attainment or achievement. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. As shown in the examples, it frequently precedes a noun or noun phrase, specifying what was not achieved, like "failed to reach a verdict" or "failed to reach the final."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failed to reach" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express the lack of attainment of a specific target, goal, or destination. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness, highlighting its frequent use in both news and scientific contexts. While appropriate for neutral communication, it carries a tone of unmet expectations. Synonyms like "fell short of" or "did not attain" can provide variety, but it's crucial to avoid incorrect prepositions. Ultimately, understanding the nuances of this phrase will ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were unsuccessful in

States a lack of success in a given endeavor.

fell short of

Highlights a deficiency in meeting a specific requirement or expectation.

missed the mark

Suggests a failure to achieve a target or standard.

did not attain

Emphasizes a lack of achievement, often in a formal context.

were unable to achieve

Focuses on the inability to accomplish something.

did not accomplish

Stresses the lack of completion or fulfillment of a task.

could not manage to

Highlights the difficulty in achieving a particular outcome.

proved insufficient to

Indicates a lack of capacity or power to achieve something.

did not suffice

Focuses on the inadequacy of something to meet a need or requirement.

lacked the capacity to

Highlights a fundamental inability or deficiency.

FAQs

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

You can use "failed to reach" to indicate that something or someone did not achieve a certain goal or standard. For example, "The company "failed to reach" its sales target this quarter."

What can I say instead of "failed to reach"?

You can use alternatives like "fell short of", "did not attain", or "were unable to achieve" depending on the context.

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

"Failed to reach" and "did not reach" are often interchangeable, but "failed to reach" can imply a stronger sense of disappointment or expectation that was unmet. "Did not reach" is more neutral.

What does it mean when a jury "failed to reach" a verdict?

When a jury "failed to reach" a verdict, it means that the jurors could not come to a unanimous decision regarding the defendant's guilt or innocence. This can lead to a mistrial.