failed to succeed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to succeed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something did not achieve the desired outcome or goal. Example: "Despite their best efforts, the team ultimately failed to succeed in securing the funding they needed for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

One obese middle-aged woman who had failed to succeed with a range of diets learned her blood sugar levels spiked after eating tomatoes.

Independent

She has been dogged by rumours that her record company, Innocent, was close to dropping her after her latest album failed to succeed like her early singles.

The Guardian

With important local government elections due in the autumn, analysts say, Law and Justice is trying to recover its popularity after its candidate, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, failed to succeed his brother as president in the presidential race in May.

The New York Times

Lord Heseltine, the former deputy prime minister, who tried and failed to succeed Margaret Thatcher in 1990 after years of plotting, once said: "He who wields the knife never wears the crown".

Independent

Carlo Ancelotti, his coach at Milan, described him as "egocentric" in his autobiography and he was virulently criticised by Paolo Maldini, who said he failed to succeed at San Siro because he did not make the necessary effort to integrate himself into the squad.

The Guardian - Sport

The aggrieved regularly appeal to the National Regulatory Commission for Communications, but so far they have failed to succeed," says a European Commission-funded study.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

What had once been fun, changed overnight: "Now there was expectation – to fail, to succeed, to come through to the other side".

The Guardian - Film

But I was the one who'd lacked the guts — to fail, to succeed, to engage with the whole undignified, insane attempt at originality.

The New Yorker

"If the company fails to succeed, it will be because management failed, not because the people out there building these projects failed," Mr. Hanks said.

The New York Times

So I'll offer a caveat to this week's quiz: if you are prone to a decrease in emotional health when you fail to succeed, you may not wish to go forward.

The New Yorker

No one benefits from their struggles, and if they fail to succeed at becoming self-supporting adults, we will all pay for that failure, although none so much as the children themselves.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider rephrasing for conciseness. While grammatically sound, "failed to succeed" can sometimes be replaced with a simpler phrase like "was unsuccessful" for more direct communication.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to succeed" in contexts where the failure is already heavily implied. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Opt for a more concise alternative like "failed" or "did not succeed" to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to succeed" functions as a verbal phrase, typically acting as a predicate in a sentence. It describes the outcome of an action or effort, indicating that the desired result was not achieved. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

24%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failed to succeed" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to express that an attempt at achieving a goal was unsuccessful. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English, though it's worth considering more concise alternatives like "was unsuccessful" or simply "failed", if the context allows. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, science, and wiki sources. While the phrase is valid, avoid overuse to prevent redundancy. Ludwig AI has provided several examples that illustrate the various ways in which "failed to succeed" can be used effectively, as well as some helpful best practices for incorporating it into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was unsuccessful

A simple and direct synonym.

did not achieve success

More formal and directly states the absence of success.

did not accomplish the goal

Highlights the failure to reach a specific target.

did not prosper

Emphasizes a lack of growth or flourishing.

fell short of expectations

Focuses on not meeting anticipated outcomes.

proved abortive

More formal, suggesting a premature end to an attempt.

came to naught

Suggests that efforts were wasted and produced no result.

was to no avail

Emphasizes the uselessness of the effort.

was in vain

Highlights the lack of result despite significant effort.

did not pan out

An informal way of saying something didn't work out.

FAQs

What does "failed to succeed" mean?

The phrase "failed to succeed" means that someone or something attempted to achieve a goal or outcome but ultimately did not achieve it. It implies both an effort and a lack of the desired result.

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

You can use "failed to succeed" to describe situations where an attempt was made but was not successful. For example: "Despite their hard work, they "failed to succeed" in the competition."

What's a more concise way to say "failed to succeed"?

Alternatives to "failed to succeed" include "was unsuccessful", "did not succeed", or simply "failed", depending on the context.

When is it best to use "failed to succeed" instead of just "failed"?

Use "failed to succeed" when you want to emphasize the attempt and the subsequent lack of achievement, creating a contrast. "Failed" is more direct and suitable when the attempt doesn't need specific highlighting. Compare: "The project failed" vs. "The project "failed to succeed", despite the team's efforts".