fails to show

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fails to show" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something does not demonstrate or reveal a particular point or quality. Example: "The report fails to show the necessary data to support the conclusions drawn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Better hope nobody fails to show.

The New York Times - Tech

But he almost never fails to show up.

The New York Times

Days pass and as her father fails to show, Early notices her mother's inability to cope.

The New York Times - Books

A week before the wedding, Dorrie fails to show up at Millicent's house for supper.

The New Yorker

"Poe Toaster" fails to show up for the third year in a row.

The New Yorker

Others have pointed out that the commercial notably fails to show any of the company's food.

The New Yorker

And yet for all the compassion Khadivi elicits, Saladin himself fails to show empathy.

The New York Times - Books

The register fails to show the quality of the foreign-owned land.

The Guardian

He is habitually late for appointments and often fails to show at all.

The New York Times - Magazine

When that politician fails to show up, their frustrations will bubble over.

The Guardian - Books

"The government's latest analysis still fails to show the full distributional impact of its welfare changes.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fails to show", ensure that the subject performing the action (or inaction) is clearly defined. For instance, specify what document, study, or analysis "fails to show" the expected result.

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple clauses with "fails to show", as it can lead to convoluted sentence structures. Instead, break down complex ideas into simpler sentences for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fails to show" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of demonstration, evidence, or visibility. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usability in expressing that something does not adequately display or prove a particular point, as seen in various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fails to show" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase. As Ludwig AI indicates, it effectively expresses a lack of demonstration or visibility across a range of contexts, especially in news, media, and scientific writing. When using the phrase, clarity is key; specify what "fails to show" and avoid complex sentence structures to maintain readability. While various alternatives exist, such as "does not demonstrate" or "does not reveal", "fails to show" remains a direct and useful option. Based on the numerous examples provided by Ludwig, it is clear that this phrase is a versatile tool for expressing deficiencies in arguments or data.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

does not demonstrate

Emphasizes a lack of proof or evidence.

does not reveal

Focuses on the absence of unveiling or making something known.

does not indicate

Highlights the lack of a sign or signal pointing to something.

does not display

Focuses on the absence of visual representation or presentation.

omits to present

Highlights the action of not offering or showing something.

neglects to illustrate

Indicates a lack of proper explanation or demonstration.

falls short of proving

Emphasizes a failure in providing sufficient evidence to establish something.

is unable to validate

Focuses on the inability to confirm or support something.

lacks substantiation

Emphasizes the absence of supporting evidence or facts.

offers no confirmation

Indicates the absence of any supporting proof or verification.

FAQs

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

You can use "fails to show" to indicate that something does not demonstrate or reveal a particular point or quality. For example: "The report "fails to show" the necessary data to support the conclusions drawn."

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

You can use alternatives like "does not demonstrate", "does not reveal", or "does not indicate" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "fail to show" or "fails to show"?

"Fail to show" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "They fail to show") while "fails to show" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "The study fails to show").

What's the difference between "fails to show" and "fails to address"?

"Fails to show" indicates a lack of demonstration or visibility, while "fails to address" means something has been omitted or not dealt with. The choice depends on whether you're referring to a lack of evidence or a lack of discussion.