he failed to show

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'he failed to show' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone did not appear at a certain time or place as expected. For example: "We had all gathered at the park, but he failed to show."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Rebuffed, he failed to show up.

The New York Times

He failed to show up for training at his club.

The New York Times - Sports

This month, however, he failed to show for two summons.

The Guardian

When he failed to show, a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.

The New York Times - Sports

On Saturday morning he failed to show up for the semifinals.

The New York Times - Sports

"He failed to show up, without a word of apology," Webber said at the time.

The Guardian - Sport

But then he failed to show up for the end-of-year exam.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

A contemporary tells of helping himself to Newton's dinner when he failed to show up on time.

The New York Times

Mr. Sanaia's body was discovered on the evening of July 26 after he failed to show up at work.

The New York Times

The marines began a search for him after he failed to show up for duty the next day.

The New York Times

He failed to show up Friday to the celebration marking the sixty-ninth anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers Partyy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider context when choosing among alternatives. "He didn't appear" is straightforward. "He was a no-show" is more casual. "He did not attend" is more formal.

Common error

Avoid using "he failed to show" when you actually mean "he failed to demonstrate" or "he failed to prove." The former indicates absence, while the latter suggests a lack of successful performance or evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he failed to show" functions as a declarative statement expressing that a person did not appear at a scheduled event or appointment. It serves to inform the audience of the absence, a fact emphasized by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he failed to show" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to indicate someone's absence from a scheduled event. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. With its neutral register and common usage across news, general writing, and even some business contexts, it is a versatile phrase. Alternatives like "he didn't appear" or "he was a no-show" offer variations in formality and emphasis. Remember to use this phrase when a straightforward statement of someone's absence is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he didn't appear

Replaces "failed to show" with a simpler expression indicating absence.

he was a no-show

Uses a more concise, idiomatic expression to convey absence.

he did not attend

Employs a formal tone to describe his non-attendance.

he missed the event

Focuses on the event that he didn't attend.

he absented himself

Uses a more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying he was not present.

he bailed

Utilizes informal slang to imply he backed out or didn't show up.

he skipped it

Emphasizes that he intentionally avoided the event or commitment.

he was AWOL

Implies he was absent without leave, often used humorously.

he stood us up

Suggests a scheduled meeting where he didn't appear, often used in personal contexts.

he reneged

Implies a broken promise or commitment to appear.

FAQs

What does "he failed to show" mean?

The phrase "he failed to show" means that someone did not appear at a scheduled event, meeting, or location. It indicates an absence or a missed appointment.

What can I say instead of "he failed to show"?

You can use alternatives like "he didn't appear", "he was a no-show", or "he did not attend", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "he failed to show up" the same as "he failed to show"?

While "he failed to show up" carries a similar meaning to "he failed to show", the inclusion of "up" emphasizes the act of arriving or appearing at a specific place. Both are acceptable, but the choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "he failed to show"?

It is appropriate to use "he failed to show" in situations where you want to state factually that someone was absent or did not appear as expected. This phrase can be used in a variety of contexts, from formal reports to casual conversations.