fails to complete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fails to complete" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has not been finished or accomplished as expected. Example: "The project fails to complete on time due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

For once, she fails to complete a sentence.

The Guardian - Film

Woods fails to complete the hat-trick and strokes a three wood down the fairway.

The Guardian - Sport

If, however, she fails to complete the course, Love will be required to serve at least 90 days in jail.

The Guardian - Film

If it fails to complete the background check by then, the buyer is allowed to return and purchase the gun.

The New York Times

If a service member fails to complete the program, "all those things you meted out are still there," he said.

The New York Times

David Ridge London To save me any further anguish, is there anyone else who now fails to complete the cryptic crossword?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

This procedure led to very high completion rates: few students failed to complete our questionnaires.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

However, you failed to complete the argument.

The Economist

— and failed to complete it.

The New Yorker

Only once has he failed to complete.

The Guardian - Sport

And at Wembley I fail to complete an 'at-trick.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fails to complete", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is failing to finish. For example, "The project fails to complete on time due to unforeseen circumstances."

Common error

Avoid using "fails to complete" when the action was never intended to be fully completed. Instead, use phrases like "partially completed" or "partially addressed" if only a portion of the task was meant to be done.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fails to complete" functions as a verb phrase. It indicates an inability or lack of success in finishing a task, process, or action. Ludwig provides many examples illustrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

24%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fails to complete" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that indicates an inability or lack of success in finishing a task or process. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable across diverse contexts. It is frequently found in news and media, scientific writing, and general communication, making it a useful expression for conveying incomplete actions or unmet goals. While alternatives like "does not finish" or "is unable to complete" exist, "fails to complete" maintains a consistent presence and provides a clear and effective way to communicate the lack of completion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

does not finish

This is a more straightforward and less formal way of saying something isn't completed.

is unable to complete

This phrase emphasizes the lack of ability or capacity to finish something.

does not accomplish

Focuses on the lack of achievement rather than the act of finishing.

falls short of completion

This suggests an attempt was made, but the final result was not achieved.

leaves undone

Highlights the state of being unfinished or neglected.

neglects to conclude

Implies a lack of attention or responsibility in finishing the task.

omits the conclusion

Suggests that the final part of the task or process is missing.

is deficient in its finish

A more formal way of saying that the completion is lacking or inadequate.

terminates prematurely

This phrase implies that something was stopped before it could be finished.

discontinues before the end

Indicates that an action was stopped before reaching its natural conclusion.

FAQs

How can I use "fails to complete" in a sentence?

You can use "fails to complete" to indicate that something was not finished or accomplished. For example, "The student "fails to complete" the assignment on time."

What's a less formal alternative to "fails to complete"?

Alternatives include "does not finish", or "unable to complete". The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

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

"Fails to complete" and "does not complete" are largely interchangeable. However, "fails to complete" may carry a slightly stronger connotation of shortcoming or inability.

What's the difference between "fails to complete" and "failure to complete"?

"Fails to complete" is a verb phrase describing an action, while "failure to complete" is a noun phrase referring to the state of being incomplete. For example, "He "fails to complete" the task" versus "His "failure to complete" the task resulted in penalties."