fails to appear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fails to appear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone or something is expected to be present but is not. Example: "The defendant fails to appear in court, resulting in a warrant for their arrest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

But one afternoon he fails to appear.

The New Yorker

But Mr. Tartaglia, the scheduled host, fails to appear.

The New York Times - Arts

If he fails to appear, he could be impeached.

The Economist

Everythingis "brilliant" until their mother fails to appear oneevening at the rendezvous point.

The New York Times - Books

The Met does not make refunds if a featured star fails to appear.

The New York Times - Arts

Oct. 22, 1999 -- Mr. Taylor fails to appear in court in the June 23 robbery case.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Big crowds have failed to appear.

Independent

Around Thanksgiving, the cart failed to appear.

The New York Times

The Republican nominee, George Pataki, failed to appear.

The New Yorker

But they failed to appear.

The Guardian - Music

Since then, however, reforms have failed to appear.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fails to appear" when you want to emphasize a failure to meet an expectation or obligation. It often implies a negative consequence or disruption.

Common error

While "fails to appear" is grammatically sound, avoid using it in overly casual situations where simpler alternatives like "doesn't show up" or "is absent" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fails to appear" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a lack of presence or occurrence. It often implies a missed expectation or obligation, as Ludwig highlights. Examples in Ludwig show it used in the context of court appearances, scheduled events, and expected publications.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fails to appear" is a grammatically correct and relatively common verb phrase used to indicate the absence of someone or something that was expected. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts but particularly prevalent in News & Media and Science. While it is a versatile phrase, it is important to consider the formality of the situation and whether simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. When writing, remember that using "fails to appear" often implies a missed expectation or obligation, so ensure that this nuance aligns with your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

does not show up

Replaces "fails" with a more informal "does not" and uses "show up" instead of "appear".

doesn't turn up

Informal variation of not showing up.

is not present

A straightforward way of saying someone or something is not there.

is absent

Uses a simpler and more direct term to convey the lack of presence.

does not attend

A more formal way of saying someone did not go to an event.

is not in attendance

A formal way to indicate someone is not present at a gathering.

does not materialize

Implies that something expected did not become a reality.

is a no-show

An idiomatic expression indicating someone did not attend.

misses the appointment

Specifically refers to missing a scheduled meeting or event.

is nowhere to be found

Suggests a search or attempt to locate someone or something.

FAQs

What does "fails to appear" mean?

The phrase "fails to appear" means that someone or something that was expected to be present is not there. It implies a missed expectation or obligation.

What can I say instead of "fails to appear"?

You can use alternatives like "does not show up", "is absent", or "does not attend" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "fails to appear" or "does not appear"?

"Fails to appear" often carries a stronger connotation of expectation or obligation than "does not appear". The better choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. If there is an expectation, then "fails to appear" is appropriate.

How to use "fails to appear" in a sentence?

You can use "fails to appear" in a sentence like this: "If the witness "fails to appear", the trial will be delayed."