fails

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fails" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has not succeeded or has not met expectations. Example: "The project fails to meet the required standards, which is why it was rejected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is at around 90 seconds into the clip that Speroni grimaces, the commentator declaring "and I'm not quite sure what he's doing" as the goalkeeper dawdles at a back-pass, fails to trick Kevin Campbell and ends up conceding a penalty.

The Guardian - Sport

Only thing what's on my mind, who's gonna run this town tonight?") are both almost a direct translation from the books into song form, and it is obviously one of the most bad-ass songs I've ever listened too and never fails to get me pumped up, as if I was going into battle and could do back flips and stuff like that.

The Guardian

And perhaps most importantly of all, this argument fails to see the links between these different forms of oppression and violence.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Unfortunately, what can happen is a dermatologist fails to find an explanation and jumps to a psychiatric one".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In its rebuttal, Barclays said: "Fundamentally, the complaint fails to identify any fraud – establishing no material misstatements, no identified victims, and no actual harm".

The Guardian - Business

OK, so that suggests Obama won't accept a deal that fails to raise taxes on upper income – $250,000 and above – earners.

The Guardian

Pennbury fails on both counts: it sits just to the east of Leicester and has hardly any brown-field land.

The Guardian - Opinion

Greece has vigorously rebutted speculation that it will declare a debt default and plunge out of the eurozone if it fails to strike a deal with lenders to keep its bankrupt economy afloat.

The Guardian - Business

Related: ICM poll: Labour faces wipeout in Scotland after new leader fails to dent SNP support A coalition – technically defined as a government with ministers of both parties – between Labour and the SNP is highly unlikely, and both parties have in fact ruled one out.

The Guardian

If Huntsman fails to do well in New Hampshire, he is almost certain to drop out of the race.

The Guardian

Moreover, to execute drug traffickers who have been rehabilitated fails to respect their human dignity and inherent right to life," she wrote in a column for Fairfax Media.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fails", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is failing to do or achieve. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "fails" without specifying the criteria for success or the intended outcome. Vague references to failure can weaken your argument. For instance, instead of saying "The plan fails", specify "The plan "fails to address" the root causes of the problem".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fails" is that of a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense form of "fail". As identified by Ludwig AI, it is used to describe the action of not succeeding or meeting a required standard.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Lifestyle

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "fails" is a versatile and commonly used verb form that indicates a lack of success or achievement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Lifestyle content, "fails" serves the purpose of reporting unmet expectations or unsuccessful outcomes. Alternatives such as "does not succeed" or "falls short" can be used to add nuance or formality. When using "fails", clarity is key: ensure that the subject and the criteria for success are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

does not succeed

Replaces "fails" with a more explicit and less concise expression of the same concept.

proves unsuccessful

Emphasizes the outcome of not achieving the desired result, sounding slightly more formal.

falls short

Suggests a deficiency or inadequacy in reaching a required standard or goal.

does not achieve

Directly states the lack of accomplishment.

proves inadequate

Highlights the insufficient nature of something, focusing on its inability to meet requirements.

is deficient

Indicates a lack or shortage of necessary qualities or elements.

misses the mark

Suggests a failure to accurately target or achieve a specific objective.

is ineffective

Focuses on the lack of positive impact or the inability to produce the desired effect.

breaks down

Implies a collapse or cessation of function, often used for systems or processes.

lacks success

A more descriptive way to convey the lack of a positive outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "fails" in a sentence?

The word "fails" indicates a lack of success or effectiveness. For example, "The experiment "fails to produce" the desired result." Ensure the subject and object of failure are clear in your sentence.

What are some synonyms for "fails"?

Alternatives for "fails" include "does not succeed", "falls short", or "proves unsuccessful", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Which is correct, "fails to deliver" or "fail to deliver"?

The correct form depends on the subject. For a singular subject, use "fails to deliver" (e.g., "The company fails to deliver"). For a plural subject, use "fail to deliver" (e.g., "They fail to deliver").

What's the difference between "fails" and "refuses"?

"Fails" indicates an inability to achieve something, while "refuses" indicates a deliberate choice not to do something. For example, "The engine fails to start" versus "The driver refuses to start the engine".