has not prospered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has not prospered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has not achieved success or growth over a period of time. Example: "Despite the initial excitement, the project has not prospered as we had hoped."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It has not prospered.

The Economist

The Saints would not prosper anywhere else, the fans say, even as they concede that the team has not prospered here.

The New York Times

Mr. Jeffries makes a straightforward case that the district has not prospered and the district office is not efficient enough for constituents.

The New York Times

"Kolkata used to be a very cosmopolitan place, but East India has not prospered the way other parts of the country have, and most members of the once vibrant Jewish, Armenian and Chinese communities have left," he said.

The New York Times

Witness, so the argument runs, Mr Putin's plan to appoint regional governors and his moves to recover the state's control over the economy and subdue the oligarchs (a class that has not prospered in Belarus).

The Economist

He knows that opera is a difficult sell on Long Island; that despite the presence of a coterie of devotees, a major company has not prospered, or even survived, on the Island.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

If this hasn't prospered in 42 years, what would you conclude?

The New York Times

Other industrial zones established by North Korea near its border have not prospered.

The New York Times

Bath was an ideal hunting ground for husbands, but their matrimonial prospects had not prospered.

The Guardian - Arts

Despite the new business, the fortunes of Halliburton and its subsidiary have not prospered.

The Guardian - Books

The misses include players like Evgeny Korolev, Anna Chakvetadze, Marcos Baghdatis and Sania Mirza, whose rankings and singles careers have not prospered.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has not prospered", ensure the subject and context clearly indicate what was expected to succeed or grow. This provides clarity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "has not prospered" when a simple lack of activity is meant. "Has not prospered" implies a failure to thrive or grow, not merely a state of inactivity. Choose a more appropriate phrase like "has remained dormant" or "has not been activated" for mere inactivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has not prospered" functions as a negative predicate within a sentence. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase indicates a lack of success or growth over time. The examples demonstrate its use in describing the failure of businesses, districts, or even personal endeavors to achieve their potential.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has not prospered" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon expression used to describe a lack of success or growth. As Ludwig confirms, it functions as a negative predicate and is typically employed to convey disappointment or explain the failure of something to meet expectations. While adaptable across various contexts, it finds its primary usage in news and media. Related phrases include "did not flourish" and "failed to succeed", offering nuanced alternatives depending on the specific meaning intended. When writing, it's important to ensure the context clearly defines what was expected to prosper, and to avoid using the phrase when simply referring to inactivity rather than a failure to thrive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not flourish

Focuses on a lack of healthy growth or development.

did not thrive

Emphasizes a lack of vigorous growth and success.

failed to succeed

Directly states a failure to achieve the desired outcome.

did not fare well

Indicates a lack of positive progress or outcome.

has not improved

Highlights a lack of progress or betterment.

has stagnated

Implies a state of inactivity or lack of development.

has not developed

Focuses on a lack of advancement or progress.

remained unsuccessful

Emphasizes the continued lack of success.

has not realized its potential

Indicates a failure to achieve full capabilities or possibilities.

did not bear fruit

Suggests a lack of positive results or outcomes from effort.

FAQs

What does "has not prospered" mean?

The phrase "has not prospered" means that something or someone has failed to achieve success, growth, or improvement over a period of time. It implies a lack of thriving or positive development.

How can I use "has not prospered" in a sentence?

You can use "has not prospered" to describe a business, project, or even a personal endeavor that hasn't achieved the desired success. For example, "Despite the initial investment, the company "has not prospered"."

What are some alternatives to "has not prospered"?

Alternatives to "has not prospered" include "did not flourish", "did not thrive", or "failed to succeed". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "have not prospered" instead of "has not prospered"?

Yes, "have not prospered" is correct when referring to a plural subject. For example, "Those companies "have not prospered" due to the economic downturn," whereas "has not prospered" is for singular nouns.