failed to score points

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to score points" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as sports, games, or discussions about performance where someone or a team did not achieve any points. Example: "Despite their best efforts, the team failed to score points in the final quarter of the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

If Mercedes had an indifferent race, Red Bull had a stinker, with both Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber failing to finish, the first time the team had failed to score points since the South Korea race two years ago.

The Guardian - Sport

Vonn has failed to score points in three straight races.

The New York Times - Sports

But the Ferrari driver failed to score points at only two races, and Vettel failed to score at three.

The New York Times - Sports

Hamilton, for his part, drove a brilliant race until he dropped out with a broken gearbox — the fourth race in which he has failed to score points.

The New York Times

He lies in third position overall, three points ahead of multiple champion Priaulx, the BMW driver now placed fifth after he failed to score points in the second race.

The Guardian - Sport

A rare breed of wing who also kicks the odd goal, Nadolo has failed to score points in only four of his 19 Fiji appearances, running in 15 tries, while he scored all the points in Fiji's 17-13 defeatoto Wales last autumn during his side's most recent trip to the UK.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The home side led 17-9 at half-time thanks to tries from Aisea Natoga and Dan Lydiate but failed to score any points in the second period.

BBC

He scored between 20 and 29 points 31 times that season but failed to score 30 points in any game.

Wikipedia

Bode Miller of the United States failed to score any points with a 20th-place finish, giving Eberharter an unbeatable 273-point lead in the overall standing.

The New York Times - Sports

After taking an early lead on the strength of Howard's inside presence, Orlando failed to score 20 points in each of the final three quarters and fell well short of its scoring average of 108.7 points — third-highest in the N.B.A.

The New York Times

Hamilton dropped out of the penultimate race, which Raikkonen won, and then Hamilton failed to score enough points in Brazil, and the Finn again won the race to snatch the drivers' title by one point.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "failed to score points" when you want to clearly and directly state that a team or individual did not achieve any points in a specific context, such as a game or competition. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the lack of success or a deviation from expected performance.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to score points" in overly casual or informal situations. While grammatically correct, it can sound somewhat formal or technical. In casual conversation, consider using simpler alternatives like "didn't score" or "got no points".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to score points" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating the action that a subject (e.g., a team, an individual) was unable to perform. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Reference

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failed to score points" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to express the lack of success in gaining points in a competitive setting. While it is most commonly found in News & Media reports and general discussions, its neutral register makes it adaptable to professional and academic contexts as well. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and usability. When writing, consider the specific context and audience; simpler alternatives might be more appropriate for casual conversation. Overall, it's a straightforward and effective way to communicate a lack of scoring success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieved no points

Directly states the absence of any points achieved.

registered zero points

Implies a formal recording of no points.

did not accumulate points

Emphasizes the lack of accumulation rather than the failure to score.

were unable to gain points

Highlights the inability to achieve points.

failed to register a score

Similar to "failed to score points" but uses 'score' as a general term.

finished with no score

Emphasizes the final result of having no points.

didn't manage to score

Focuses on the lack of management or skill in scoring.

could not secure points

Highlights the inability to obtain or guarantee any points.

remained scoreless

Specifically implies the absence of scoring throughout a period.

were shut out

Implies a complete prevention of scoring, typically by an opponent.

FAQs

How can I use "failed to score points" in a sentence?

You can use "failed to score points" to describe a team or individual's inability to gain points in a game or competition. For example, "Despite their efforts, the team "failed to score points" in the second half".

What can I say instead of "failed to score points"?

You can use alternatives like "achieved no points", "remained scoreless", or "were shut out depending" on the context.

Is it better to say "failed to score points" or "did not score points"?

Both "failed to score points" and "did not score points" are grammatically correct. "Failed to score points" might carry a slightly stronger emphasis on the lack of success, while "did not score points" is a more neutral statement.

What does it mean when a team "failed to score points"?

When a team ""failed to score points"", it means they were unable to gain any points during a game or specific period within the game. This often implies a lack of offensive success or strong defensive play by the opposing team.