fallen through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fallen through" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something has not been successfully completed or realized. For example: "The plan for the trip had fallen through due to our lack of funds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Numerous deals have fallen through, as buyers spooked by the devastation have second thoughts.

The New York Times

Now it's fallen through.

Independent

All have fallen through.

The New York Times

Thoughtfulness has fallen through the cracks.

The New Yorker

Congress has fallen through the gaps.

The Economist

The deal with Lloyds has fallen through.

The Economist

"I'm surprised you haven't fallen through".

The New Yorker

But, of course, it's all fallen through.

Independent

Like, some people had fallen through it.. . .

The Washington Post

They have fallen through the cracks.

The Guardian

He had fallen through the ice.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical objects, "fallen through" suggests a literal descent or penetration, as in "fallen through the ice."

Common error

Avoid using "fallen through" in contexts where a simple verb like "failed" or "collapsed" would be more direct. "Fallen through" is best when the failure implies a process or expectation that was disrupted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fallen through" functions as a phrasal verb, typically used in the perfect tenses to indicate that a plan, agreement, or expectation has failed to materialize or has been unsuccessful. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usability is well-supported by many examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fallen through" is a versatile and common phrasal verb used to describe plans, deals, or expectations that have failed to materialize. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is appropriate for both formal and informal communication, though it is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts. To ensure clarity, avoid using "fallen through" when a simpler verb like "failed" would suffice. Remember that alternative phrases like "failed to happen" or "did not materialize" can be used for greater formality. It's crucial to use the correct tense of the verb, distinguishing between "fall through" (present) and "fallen through" (past participle).

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to happen

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more straightforward description of an event not occurring.

did not materialize

Emphasizes the lack of realization or concrete outcome, suitable for formal contexts.

came to nothing

Highlights the futility or lack of positive results from an endeavor.

proved unsuccessful

Focuses on the failure to achieve a desired outcome, often used in business or project management.

was unsuccessful

A less emphatic way to indicate the failure to achieve an outcome.

collapsed

Suggests a sudden and complete failure, often applicable to deals or structures.

failed

A simple and direct way to state that something did not succeed.

did not go as planned

Shifts the focus to the deviation from the intended course of action.

evaporated

Suggests a vanishing or disappearance of a plan or deal, implying a sudden end.

was left undone

Highlights the inaction or lack of completion of a task or plan.

FAQs

How can I use "fallen through" in a sentence?

You can use "fallen through" to describe plans or deals that have failed to materialize, as in "Our vacation plans have "fallen through" because of the pandemic".

What's a more formal alternative to "fallen through"?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "failed to materialize" or "proved unsuccessful".

Is it correct to say "fall through" instead of "fallen through"?

The correct form depends on the tense. "Fall through" is the present tense (e.g., "I expect the deal to fall through"), while "fallen through" is the past participle, used in perfect tenses (e.g., "The deal has fallen through").

What does it mean when someone says they've "fallen through the cracks"?

To "fall through the cracks" means to be overlooked or missed by a system or process, often resulting in a negative outcome. For instance, "Many vulnerable children "fall through the cracks" in the social services system".