failed to survive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to survive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing situations where something or someone did not continue to exist or live. Example: "Despite the efforts to save the species, it ultimately failed to survive in its natural habitat."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Homozygous pha-1 (e2123ts ) embryos failed to survive growth at temperatures more than 23°, ensuring survival of only cross progeny.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

The possibility that cells electroporated at low densities failed to survive the procedure seems impossible since no difference was found in survival rates as mentioned above.

BMC Biotechnology

Two eggs failed to survive the thawing process.

The Washington Post

These hybrids failed to survive long enough to mate.

The New York Times - Magazine

Though that provision failed to survive the controversy, the ACA nonetheless took some steps forward.

Harvard University

Yet Levi was a survivor who committed suicide, not a suicide who failed to survive.

The New Yorker

Pate has failed to survive a P.G.A. Championship cut since 1983.

The New York Times

Many tribes have failed to survive skirmishes with loggers, miners and traffickers.

The Guardian

The Minnesota rookie Adam Johnson failed to survive the fourth, allowing six hits and six runs.

The New York Times - Sports

But this Secure Supply Card failed to survive beyond the trial phase.

The Guardian

Not that other cherished classics have failed to survive in reasonably authentic versions.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing sensitive topics like mortality or failure, "failed to survive" provides a direct yet respectful way to convey the outcome. It avoids euphemisms while maintaining clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to survive" in situations where a simpler term like "died" or "ended" would be more appropriate. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily dramatic or verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to survive" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a sentence. It indicates the inability of a subject to continue living or existing. As noted by Ludwig, this construction is considered grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

55%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failed to survive" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase across diverse contexts, including science, news, and academia. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. While generally neutral to formal, it's best to avoid overuse in overly dramatic contexts. The phrase effectively conveys the cessation of life or existence, highlighting the inability to endure or overcome challenges. Alternatives like "did not make it" or "ceased to exist" offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone and emphasis. Be mindful to choose the term that best fits the specific context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ceased to exist

Focuses on the termination of existence, whether of a living being or an entity.

did not make it

Uses a more informal and direct way to indicate that someone or something died or ceased to exist.

did not pull through

Indicates a failure to recover from an illness or difficult situation.

did not endure

Emphasizes the inability to last or survive through a period of time or challenging conditions.

succumbed to

Suggests yielding to a cause or condition, often implying death or defeat.

could not withstand

Highlights an inability to endure or resist a particular force or condition.

was unable to persist

Emphasizes the lack of ability to continue or maintain existence over time.

perished

A formal and somewhat literary term for dying, often suddenly or violently.

proved unsustainable

Highlights that something was not able to be maintained or supported, leading to its failure to survive.

met its end

A more euphemistic or metaphorical way of saying something died or was destroyed.

FAQs

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

You can use "failed to survive" to describe instances where an organism, project, or concept did not continue to exist or thrive. For example, "The experiment failed to survive the initial testing phase" or "Many startups "fail to thrive" in their first year".

What are some alternatives to "failed to survive"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "did not make it", "succumbed to", "perished", or "ceased to exist".

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

"Failed to survive" and "did not survive" are largely interchangeable, but "failed to survive" might imply a stronger sense of effort or expectation that was unmet. "Did not survive" is a more neutral statement of fact.

In what contexts is "failed to survive" most appropriate?

"Failed to survive" is appropriate in contexts where you want to emphasize the lack of endurance or the inability to overcome challenges. This can include discussions of biological organisms, business ventures, historical events, or abstract concepts.