fails to demonstrate

USAGE SUMMARY

"fails to demonstrate" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means that something did not show or prove what was expected or desired. You can use this phrase when describing someone's actions or a situation where there was an attempt to prove or show something, but it was unsuccessful. Example: The experiment fails to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new medication on reducing pain levels.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What it fails to demonstrate is much in the way of new thinking.

The Guardian - Money

Her most pretentious one was that "Cinderella" was about consumerism (something she fails to demonstrate).

The New York Times - Arts

Carolina Chocolate Drops are a gloriously energetic and adventurous live band, but this set mysteriously fails to demonstrate their range.

The Guardian - Music

It's more like an attitude of heightened aesthetic discernment that the vast majority of humanity signally fails to demonstrate.

The Guardian - Books

Despite the Guardian's undoubted internationalist outlook, it often fails to demonstrate a clear understanding of European institutions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Data correlating QOL with functional outcome and symptom burden fails to demonstrate a consistent relationship.

Critical Reviews in Oncology-Hematology

He could be banned from bowling in international cricket for up to two years if he fails to demonstrate to the ICC that he has rectified his action.

The Guardian - Sport

The major claim that Goldberg and Zipursky develop is that our benefit-cost analysis fails to demonstrate that the case for product liability is uneasy.

Harvard University

* But the statute is not vulnerable on this ground; and the majority, it seems to me, fails to demonstrate that it is.

Cornell University

In this situation, he does — by a small margin — but fails to demonstrate the kind of political strength that could quickly bring the contest to a conclusion.

The New York Times

That way of thinking fails to demonstrate that strong abatement is necessary; in effect, it merely assumes it to be necessary.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fails to demonstrate", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is expected to show or prove. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "fails to demonstrate" to express a lack of evidence. Vary your language by using synonyms like "does not prove" or "does not establish" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fails to demonstrate" primarily functions as a verb phrase used to indicate a lack of substantiating evidence or proof for a given claim or proposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses that something has not shown the expected outcome. It is commonly used to critique or analyze research findings and other forms of argumentation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

30%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fails to demonstrate" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that indicates a lack of evidence or proof. As Ludwig AI states, it means something didn't show or prove what was expected. This phrase is particularly prevalent in scientific, academic, and news contexts, serving the purpose of critiquing or questioning claims. While authoritative sources frequently employ it, diversifying language with alternatives like ""does not prove"" or "does not establish" can enhance writing. Understanding its appropriate usage, as well as potential errors, helps writers to employ it effectively in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

does not prove

Emphasizes a lack of conclusive evidence or validation.

does not show

Highlights the absence of visual or observable evidence.

does not establish

Focuses on the inability to set up or create a solid foundation or fact.

does not indicate

Suggests a lack of signals or hints pointing towards a specific conclusion.

does not confirm

Highlights the absence of corroboration or verification.

does not validate

Stresses the lack of official approval or support.

does not substantiate

Emphasizes the absence of supporting evidence or facts.

does not bear out

Implies that something did not prove to be true or accurate after testing.

is not indicative of

Indicates a lack of representation or suggestion of a particular condition or situation.

lacks evidence of

Highlights the absence of proof or signs.

FAQs

What does "fails to demonstrate" mean?

The phrase "fails to demonstrate" indicates an unsuccessful attempt to prove or show something. It suggests a lack of evidence or support for a particular claim or argument.

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

You can use "fails to demonstrate" to describe situations where evidence or data does not support a conclusion. For instance, "The study "does not prove" a direct link between the two variables."

What are some alternatives to "fails to demonstrate"?

Alternatives include phrases like ""does not prove"", "does not show", or "does not establish", each providing a slightly different nuance in expressing a lack of evidence.

When is it appropriate to use "fails to demonstrate" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to express that an attempt to provide evidence or proof has been unsuccessful. It's often used in academic, scientific, and formal writing to critique or analyze findings. You could also use more direct language like "unable to demonstrate".