failed to return

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'failed to return' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
For example: The soldier failed to return home from the war, leaving his family heartbroken.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He subsequently failed to return calls.

The Guardian

But she failed to return and left her jacket.

The Guardian

So far he has failed to return to that form.

The New York Times - Sports

Hermon began avoiding Stalker and failed to return his calls.

The Guardian

He failed to return 49 of 89 serves by Rafter.

The New York Times - Sports

But Donskoy failed to return one serve, then the next.

The New Yorker

The Treasury failed to return calls for comment.

The Guardian

On Feb. 7, he left the house and failed to return.

The New York Times

When he failed to return to France, he was listed as a deserter in January 1792.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was the third time that players had failed to return, soccer officials said.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet the chief minister, Mohammed Aslam Raisani, failed to return home from a visit in Britain.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to return", ensure the context clearly indicates what or who did not return. Providing specific details enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to return" in overly passive constructions that obscure the subject. Instead of "The email was failed to be returned by the recipient", a clearer and more direct phrasing would be "The recipient failed to return the email".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to return" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the lack of a return to a previous state, location, or communication. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failed to return" is a versatile verb phrase signifying the absence of a return, whether physical, communicative, or to a previous state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is commonly used in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what or who didn't return. Consider alternatives like "did not come back" or "did not reply" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. By avoiding passive constructions, you can maintain a direct and impactful writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not come back

This alternative focuses on the physical act of not returning.

did not reply

This alternative emphasizes the lack of response, particularly in communication.

did not revert

This alternative suggests the inability to return to a previous condition or setting.

did not reappear

This alternative stresses the absence of a subsequent appearance.

did not get back

This alternative is more informal and covers both physical return and communication.

did not answer

This focuses on the inability or unwillingness to answer or respond.

did not restore

This highlights the inability to reinstate a previous state or condition.

did not achieve a comeback

This alternative is used in sporting contexts or other situations where a return to prominence is desired.

proved unable to return

This emphasizes the inability to return, often due to external circumstances.

did not make a return

This is a more formal way of stating that someone or something did not return.

FAQs

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

You can use "failed to return" to indicate that someone or something did not come back or reply. For example, "The hiker "failed to return" from his hike", or "The company "failed to return" my call".

What is a more formal way to say "failed to return"?

More formal alternatives include "did not revert", "did not reappear", or "proved unable to return", depending on the specific context. Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of not returning.

What's the difference between "failed to return" and "did not come back"?

"Failed to return" is generally more formal than "did not come back". While both indicate a lack of return, "failed to return" can also imply a lack of success or ability in returning, whereas "did not come back" is a more neutral statement of fact.

When is it appropriate to use "failed to return" instead of "did not reply"?

Use "failed to return" when you want to emphasize that someone or something did not come back to a previous location or state. Use "did not reply" when focusing on the lack of a response or communication.