has failed to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has failed to do" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something did not accomplish a specific task or obligation. Example: "The company has failed to do what was promised in the contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He has failed to do so.

The Economist

This President Obama has failed to do.

The New York Times

It has failed to do so.

The Economist

But it has failed to do so".

The Guardian

So far, they said, she has failed to do that.

The New York Times

This Israeli government has failed to do that.

The New York Times

Mr Cameron, however, has failed to do this.

The Guardian - Opinion

So far, it has failed to do so.

The Guardian - Opinion

But parliament has failed to do this job.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Regrettably, the Congress has failed to do so.

The New York Times

And in the 100m, he has failed to do that.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has failed to do", ensure the subject is clearly defined and the action it failed to perform is specific. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "has failed to do" when the subject performing the action is unclear. Always specify who or what failed to act, to maintain clarity and avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has failed to do" functions as a predicate in a sentence. It expresses that the subject of the sentence did not succeed in performing a specific action. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has failed to do" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate a lack of success in achieving a specific action or goal. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in news and media, but also in formal business and scientific contexts. When writing, it's crucial to ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "did not succeed in doing" or "was unable to do", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not succeed in doing

Replaces "has failed" with a more explicit expression of lack of success. The rest of the sentence structure stays very similar.

was unable to do

Indicates a lack of ability rather than a failure of effort.

did not manage to do

Suggests an attempt was made, but it was unsuccessful.

fell short of doing

Implies a specific target or expectation that was not met.

neglected to do

Focuses on the omission or oversight of performing the action.

omitted to do

Formal term for neglecting to perform an action.

did not carry out

Emphasizes the non-execution of a task or plan.

failed in their attempt to do

More verbose and emphasizes the attempt made before the failure.

prove incapable to do

Alternative emphasizes incapability of doing the task.

was unsuccessful in doing

More formal rephrasing that emphasizes lack of success.

FAQs

What's a simple substitute for "has failed to do"?

You can use simpler phrases like "didn't do", or "did not manage to do" as alternatives. They maintain the original meaning with less formality.

How can I rephrase "has failed to do" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using "was unsuccessful in doing" or "did not succeed in doing". These options add a layer of professionalism while retaining the core meaning.

Is there a difference between "has failed to do" and "did not attempt to do"?

Yes, "has failed to do" implies an attempt was made but was unsuccessful, while "did not attempt to do" indicates that no effort was made at all. The first assumes intention and effort, the second assumes a lack of it.

What are some common errors when using "has failed to do"?

One common mistake is using it with a vague subject. Always ensure it's clear who or what "did not succeed" in performing the action for clarity.