he fails that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he fails that" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express that someone does not succeed in a particular task or situation, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "He fails that task every time he attempts it."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But if he fails that will be less certain, for the England selectors are known to be admirers of Somerset's James Hildreth, while the diminutive Leicestershire batsman James Taylor also has followers in high places, which is why both men are on this month's Lions tour to the West Indies.

The Guardian - Sport

If he fails, that's the end of the clamour for Brian Clough to be England manager".

Wikipedia

If he fails that test, he's failing the presidency, he's failing the American people, he's failing the Constitution and failing all of us".

Huffington Post

He fails that exam.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He failed that test.

The Guardian

In my view, he failed that test.

The New York Times

He failed that night in what has become a trend.

The New York Times - Sports

"The people trusted him to be a Democrat, and he failed that trust".

The New York Times

I'm afraid in very short order he failed that test".

The Guardian

I guess he failed that responsibility, but it's a situation where he doesn't need to be fired.

The New York Times - Sports

He was given a second chance, but he failed that as well and was eventually medically discharged for obesity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "he fails that" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and grammatically correct alternatives such as "he fails in that" or "he doesn't succeed in that".

Common error

A common mistake is using "he fails that" as a direct replacement for phrases like "he fails at that" or "he fails in that". Always include the preposition (at/in) after "fails" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he fails that" functions as a statement of unsuccessful completion or achievement. Although Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is not correct, its usage in various sources shows an attempt to convey a lack of success in a specific task or situation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "he fails that" appears in some sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It attempts to communicate a lack of success in a specific task or situation, but it lacks clarity. For more formal or professional communication, it's best to use grammatically correct alternatives such as "he fails in that" or "he doesn't succeed in that". The phrase appears primarily in news and media contexts, but its usage is infrequent. Thus, while understandable, "he fails that" should be avoided in favor of more precise and grammatically sound options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he doesn't succeed in that

Replaces "fails" with "doesn't succeed", offering a more formal alternative.

he is unsuccessful in that

Substitutes "fails" with "is unsuccessful", providing a slightly more emphatic tone.

he falls short in that

Uses the idiom "falls short" to convey a failure to reach a desired standard or outcome.

he doesn't pass that

Replaces 'fails' with 'doesn't pass', used primarily to express failure in test or an exam.

he botches that

Substitutes "fails" with "botches", implying a clumsy or inept failure.

he messes that up

Uses the informal expression "messes up" to indicate a failure resulting from carelessness or error.

he is defeated by that

Replaces "fails" with "is defeated by", emphasizing the challenge or obstacle leading to failure.

he cracks under that pressure

Indicates someone who collapses under the stress.

he flounders when faced with that

Suggests the person struggles and makes erratic movements when struggling.

he proves inadequate when that is required

Suggests a lack of strength or competence.

FAQs

What are some correct alternatives to "he fails that"?

Grammatically correct alternatives include "he fails in that", "he fails at that", or "he doesn't succeed in that". You can also use phrases like "he is unsuccessful in that" or "he falls short in that".

Is "he fails that" grammatically correct?

No, "he fails that" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The verb 'fail' typically requires a preposition like 'in' or 'at' when followed by a specific task or endeavor. Therefore, it should be phrased as "he fails in that" or "he fails at that".

When is it acceptable to use "he fails that"?

While some sources may use "he fails that", it's generally best to avoid it in formal or academic writing. It might appear in informal conversation, but it is recommended to use more precise phrasing for clarity and grammatical correctness.

What's the difference between "he fails that" and "he fails in that"?

"He fails that" is grammatically incorrect and less clear. "He fails in that" is grammatically correct, using the preposition 'in' to link the verb 'fails' to the specific task or situation, making the sentence more precise and understandable. You can also use "he fails at that".