failed to start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to start" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where something did not initiate or commence as expected, often in the context of software, machinery, or processes. Example: "The application failed to start due to a missing file."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The vole failed to start….

The New Yorker

For the next 15 years they tried and failed to start a family.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mario Cipollini and Alessandro Petacchi, both Italians, failed to start because of injuries.

The New York Times - Sports

His fitness record is fantastic, too He failed to start just three league games over the past two years.

The New York Times

Ms. Hayes said that when the generators failed to start automatically, managers at Plum Island tried to start them manually.

The New York Times

The problem was the scoreboard clock, which failed to start for 14 seconds after a face-off.

The New York Times - Sports

If they failed to start construction within a designated timeframe, their land would be confiscated – but their debts would remain.

The Guardian

At a bus depot in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, a driver for Reliant Transportation turned a key in his vehicle's ignition, but it failed to start.

The New York Times

He ultimately proved to be one of the NFL's most durable players at any position; between 1990 and 2002 he failed to start in only two games.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The airline also revealed that in three instances, the main battery had failed to start normally and had had to be replaced, along with the charger.

The New York Times

Partly because the gerontocratic leadership of Leonid Brezhnev failed to start reforms in the early 1970s, when gradualism might have had a chance of succeeding.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical issues, use "failed to start" to clearly indicate that a system or process did not initiate correctly.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to start" in very casual conversation; simpler alternatives like "didn't begin" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to start" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the unsuccessful initiation of an action, process, or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is commonly used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

13%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failed to start" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the unsuccessful beginning of an action or process. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness in written English. It's frequently found in news and media sources, as well as scientific and encyclopedic contexts. While versatile, it’s best used in technical or formal descriptions, avoiding overuse in overly casual settings. Alternative phrases include "did not begin" or "could not initiate". The phrase serves to clearly report a lack of commencement in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not begin

Replaces "failed to start" with a simpler and more direct expression of not beginning.

could not initiate

Substitutes "failed" with "could not", implying an inability to initiate something.

did not commence

Uses "commence" instead of "start", providing a more formal alternative.

was unable to begin

Emphasizes the inability to begin using a slightly longer but equally valid construction.

proved unable to start

Highlights the proven inability, adding a stronger sense of failure.

did not get underway

Replaces "start" with "get underway", offering a more idiomatic alternative.

was unsuccessful in starting

Emphasizes the lack of success in initiating the process.

never began

Focuses on the complete absence of starting, implying that the process never initiated at all.

met with failure in starting

Highlights the confrontation with failure when trying to start.

failed to commence operations

Specifies that it is the operations, not something else, that failed to start. Also, more formal by using the word "commence".

FAQs

What are some common situations where something might "failed to start"?

The phrase "failed to start" is often used to describe issues with machinery, software, projects, or processes that didn't begin as expected. For example, "The car "failed to start" this morning" or "The program "failed to start" due to a missing file".

How can I use "failed to start" in a sentence about a project?

When referring to a project, you could say, "The construction project "failed to start" on time due to permit delays".

What are some alternatives to "failed to start" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "did not begin", "could not initiate", or "did not commence" to replace "failed to start".

Is "failed to start" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "failed to start" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when describing technical or procedural failures. More formal synonyms like "did not commence" can also be used.