fails to materialize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fails to materialize" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something that was expected or planned does not happen or come into existence. Example: "The project was ambitious, but unfortunately, it fails to materialize due to lack of funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All parties agree that the sport loses if Pacquiao-Mayweather fails to materialize.

The New York Times - Sports

If an opposition candidate fails to materialize, you may want to consider volunteering.

The New York Times

There's some chance that the disruption fails to materialize or is further delayed.

The Washington Post

Making it too early can open the city up to parental annoyance if the snow fails to materialize.

The New York Times

But if such business fails to materialize, Goldman will have to pay its staff for cooling its heels.

The New York Times

When the attack fails to materialize, his friends are furious that he has needlessly ruined their weekend.

The New York Times

If that help fails to materialize, the mayor has identified $500 million in contingency cuts to make up the difference.

The New York Times

Each rider was charged $1. Frequently, the promise of employment at the other end of the line fails to materialize.

The New York Times

The difficulty of adjusting taxes means that if we cut rates now, we may not be able to restore them if the projected surplus fails to materialize.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"The possibility of recession cannot be ruled out, especially if recovery of global demand in the coming quarters fails to materialize".

The New York Times

Some economists said the plan may be too dependent on economic growth, meaning more measures will be required if the economic expansion fails to materialize.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fails to materialize" when you want to express that something expected or planned did not happen or become real, often implying a sense of disappointment or unrealized potential.

Common error

While "fails to materialize" is acceptable, consider using simpler alternatives like "doesn't happen" or "falls through" in casual conversations to avoid sounding overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fails to materialize" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the absence of an expected outcome or event. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it accurately conveys that something anticipated did not occur. The examples show its use across various contexts, emphasizing that predictions or plans did not come to fruition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fails to materialize" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that indicates something expected did not happen. It is most commonly found in News & Media, Academic, and Formal & Business contexts. While generally neutral in register, it can sound slightly formal in casual settings. Consider alternatives like "does not come to fruition" or "doesn't happen" depending on the desired level of formality. The frequency of its use categorizes it as very common, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary for expressing unmet expectations or unrealized outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

does not come to fruition

Emphasizes the lack of successful development or completion.

is not realized

Highlights that a goal or ambition was not achieved.

remains unfulfilled

Focuses on the lack of completion or satisfaction of a need or desire.

does not pan out

Suggests that a plan or expectation did not yield the desired outcome.

falls through

Implies a plan or agreement was initially in place but failed.

does not take place

Focuses on the event not occurring.

is not forthcoming

Suggests that something expected or promised is not provided or available.

proves abortive

Indicates that an attempt or endeavor was unsuccessful.

does not happen

A more direct and simple way of saying something didn't occur.

evaporates

Implies that something gradually disappears or fades away.

FAQs

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

You can use "fails to materialize" to indicate that something expected or planned does not happen. For instance, "The anticipated economic growth "fails to materialize", leading to budget cuts."

What are some alternatives to "fails to materialize"?

Alternatives include "does not come to fruition", "does not pan out", or simply "does not happen". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey. For example, the deal "did not come to fruition".

Is "fails to materialize" formal or informal?

"Fails to materialize" is generally considered more formal. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "doesn't happen" or "falls through" might be more appropriate. Also, the project "did not happen" due to budget issues.

What's the difference between "fails to materialize" and "falls through"?

"Fails to materialize" suggests that something expected didn't become real, while "falls through" implies a plan or agreement was initially in place but then failed. While similar, "falls through" often implies a more concrete plan that collapsed.