fails to seduce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fails to seduce" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that does not succeed in attracting or enticing someone, often in a metaphorical or romantic context. Example: "Despite its lavish presentation, the dish ultimately fails to seduce the palate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He fails to seduce her.

The Guardian

18 Its simple honesty rarely fails to seduce.

The New York Times

In the second, her absentee husband fails to seduce a pair of uninterested women in a provincial hotel.

The Guardian

Luckily, Iggy's voice never fails to seduce you, which makes this cover, if not fully comprehensive, then at least third party fire and theft.

The Guardian - Music

Petra Lang's sultry Kundry then fails to seduce Christopher Ventris's manly Parsifal, perhaps because there is not a scintilla of sexual chemistry between them.

The Guardian - Music

A bed, placed center stage, where Parsifal's mother dies and Kundry fails to seduce our boyish hero, is the locus of more comings and goings than a bedroom in a French farce, and it's the obvious symbol of birth and death.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The most famous names too can fail to seduce.

The New York Times - Arts

Many of the 'revelations' in Everything I Need Is Love were contested as 'vindictive, libellous fantasies' by women he failed to seduce or had slighted him.

The Guardian

In that melancholy cemetery where all the literary works that have failed to seduce posterity or the public go to die, the essay has a reserved space.

The Guardian - Books

To win an election, the Tories need to start doing better in some suburban bits of the Midlands, Yorkshire and Lancashire that embraced Margaret Thatcher but that Mr Cameron has so far failed to seduce.

The Economist

She had been swept away by the director John Frankenheimer, who, twenty years later, tried and failed to seduce my then wife, Victoria Tennant, whom he was directing in a movie.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fails to seduce", ensure the context clearly indicates what is attempting to seduce what. This clarity enhances the impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "fails to seduce" in contexts where a more direct term like "fails to attract" would be more appropriate. The word "seduce" carries a strong connotation of deliberate enticement, which may not always be intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fails to seduce" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of success in attracting or enticing someone or something. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various contexts, reflecting its ability to convey unsuccessful allurement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fails to seduce" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the lack of success in attracting or enticing. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, it's important to consider the subtle connotations of "seduce", as it implies a deliberate attempt at allurement. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts. When writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what is attempting to seduce what for maximum clarity. Alternatives like "fails to attract" or "fails to charm" may be more appropriate depending on the specific intent. While the phrase is valid and understandable, mindful use enhances the precision and impact of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to seduce

A more direct synonym, explicitly stating the lack of capability to seduce.

fails to entice

Underscores the lack of success in tempting or alluring someone.

fails to attract

Directly points to the lack of ability to draw someone's interest or attention.

fails to appeal

Focuses on the inability to be attractive or interesting to someone.

fails to win

Focuses on the inability to achieve victory or success in gaining affection or agreement.

fails to captivate

Stresses the inability to hold someone's attention or interest completely.

fails to woo

Highlights the lack of success in charming or courting someone, especially in a romantic context.

fails to charm

Highlights a lack of success in delighting or pleasing someone.

fails to get

Emphasizes the inability to obtain something, such as attention, agreement, or affection.

fails to land

Implies a missed opportunity to secure something, such as a romantic partner or a deal.

FAQs

What does "fails to seduce" mean?

The phrase "fails to seduce" means that someone or something is unsuccessful in attracting, charming, or enticing another. It suggests an attempt at persuasion or allurement that did not work.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "fails to seduce"?

It's appropriate to use "fails to seduce" when describing an attempt to attract or charm that is unsuccessful. It is most suited to contexts where there's a deliberate attempt at persuasion or enticement, whether in a romantic, artistic, or strategic sense.

What are some alternatives to "fails to seduce"?

Alternatives to "fails to seduce" include "fails to attract", "fails to charm", "unable to entice", or "does not appeal to", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

You can use "fails to seduce" in a sentence like this: "The politician's speech, despite its promises, failed to seduce the voters", or "The new marketing campaign failed to seduce its target audience".