has failed to appear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has failed to appear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone or something was expected to be present but did not show up. Example: "The defendant has failed to appear in court for the scheduled hearing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

So far Gibson has failed to appear at court.

The Guardian

"The respondent, after proper notice, has failed to appear," he said for the record.

The New York Times

But a consultation paper, which the Treasury was supposed to publish in March, has failed to appear.

The Economist

The veteran Russian dissident Vladimir Bukovsky has failed to appear in court over charges of possessing indecent images of children.

The Guardian

In all jurisdictions an arrest warrant may issue for the accused who has failed to appear in addition to forfeiture of bail.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Incredibly, Carney has 48 caps for the national team, but has failed to appear more than 40 times for any one club.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Big crowds have failed to appear.

Independent

Since then, however, reforms have failed to appear.

The Economist

But by morning, the body had failed to appear.

The New York Times

Some Witnesses Skip Hearings Several witnesses have failed to appear at the hearings.

The New York Times

However, as 2016 drew to a close, a rescue deal had failed to appear.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has failed to appear" when you want to emphasize a breach of expectation, duty, or legal requirement. It often carries a more serious tone than alternatives like "didn't show up".

Common error

Avoid using "has failed to appear" in very informal contexts. It can sound overly formal or even legalistic in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "didn't show up" or "wasn't there" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has failed to appear" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the absence of someone or something expected. This usage is confirmed by Ludwig AI, as the phrase denotes the non-occurrence of an expected presence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has failed to appear" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that indicates the absence of someone or something expected. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most often found in news and media, encyclopedias, and wiki contexts. While versatile, its formality should be considered: simpler phrases like "didn't show up" may be preferable in informal settings. Using it emphasizes a missed duty, obligation, or requirement, making it suitable for formal reports, legal documents, or official announcements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not show up

Focuses on the simple absence of someone or something at an expected location or time.

did not turn up

Similar to 'did not show up', but can also imply a search or expectation.

did not materialize

Implies that something expected to happen or become real did not come to fruition.

missed the appearance

Indicates an accidental or unintentional failure to appear.

was absent

States a simple lack of presence, without necessarily implying an expectation.

was not present

A more formal way of saying 'was absent'.

neglected to attend

Highlights a lack of action or intentional omission from attending.

did not present oneself

A more formal way to express that someone did not make an appearance, often implying a deliberate choice.

defaulted on appearance

Specifies a failure to fulfill a formal requirement or obligation to appear.

remained unseen

Emphasizes the lack of visibility or detection.

FAQs

What does "has failed to appear" mean?

The phrase "has failed to appear" means that someone or something that was expected to be present at a certain place or time did not show up or materialize. It often implies a missed obligation or expectation.

What can I say instead of "has failed to appear"?

You can use alternatives like "did not show up", "was absent", or "did not attend", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "has not appeared" or "has failed to appear"?

"Has failed to appear" often carries a stronger connotation of obligation or expectation than "has not appeared". Use "has failed to appear" when emphasizing a missed duty or requirement.

When is it appropriate to use "has failed to appear"?

It is appropriate to use "has failed to appear" in formal contexts such as legal documents, news reports, or official announcements, where a missed obligation or expectation needs to be emphasized.