it fail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it fail" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would be "it fails" or "it failed," depending on the intended tense. Example: "If the system does not respond, it fails to meet the requirements."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Will it fail in its promises?

The Guardian - Money

If not, how does it fail in its efforts?

The New York Times

For the failed service, why did it fail?

The New York Times

There are doubts about Greece's future in the eurozone should it fail to stick with its agreed austerity programme.

BBC

Why did it fail?

Independent

Why then did it fail?

Encyclopedia Britannica

More important, must it fail?

The New Yorker

How can it fail?

The New York Times - Food

Will it fail?

The Guardian - Books

They would rather see it fail.

The New York Times

Here's one: Let it fail.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and choose a more precise and grammatically correct alternative, such as "it does not succeed" or "it is unsuccessful".

Common error

A common error is using the base form of the verb ("fail") with a singular subject ("it"). Always use the correct form of the verb to maintain grammatical accuracy: use "it fails" for present tense and "it failed" for past tense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it fail" is typically used as a verb phrase where the subject is "it" and the verb is "fail". However, it is grammatically incorrect because it lacks the proper conjugation for the singular subject "it". Ludwig AI indicates that the correct form should be "it fails" or "it failed".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it fail" appears frequently in various sources, including news and media, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI suggests, the correct forms are "it fails" for the present tense and "it failed" for the past tense. Although common, particularly in informal contexts, it is advisable to use grammatically correct alternatives like "it does not succeed" or "it is unsuccessful" in formal writing. Despite its frequent use, maintaining grammatical accuracy enhances clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it does not succeed

Replaces "fail" with a more formal synonym, "succeed", in the negative form.

it is unsuccessful

Substitutes "fail" with the adjective "unsuccessful" to describe the outcome.

it doesn't work

Offers a more informal and direct way to express the idea of not functioning correctly.

it falls short

Indicates a deficiency or lack of achievement, offering a nuanced alternative to "fail".

it comes to naught

Presents a more literary and emphatic alternative, suggesting a complete lack of success.

it proves fruitless

Implies that efforts did not yield the desired results, replacing "fail" with "fruitless".

it is ineffective

Focuses on the lack of impact or desired effect, rather than outright failure.

it goes wrong

Describes a deviation from the intended path or outcome, implying an error or malfunction.

it misses the mark

Suggests a lack of precision or accuracy in achieving a goal, providing a figurative alternative.

it malfunctions

Focuses on a breakdown or improper function of a system or device, offering a technical alternative.

FAQs

How to correct the phrase "it fail"?

The phrase "it fail" is grammatically incorrect. Use "it fails" for the present tense or "it failed" for the past tense to ensure correct subject-verb agreement.

What are some alternatives to "it fail"?

Depending on the intended meaning, you can use alternatives such as "it does not succeed", "it is unsuccessful", or "it doesn't work".

When should I use "it fails" instead of "it fail"?

"It fails" should be used in the present tense when referring to a singular subject performing an action that is not successful. "It fail" is not grammatically correct.

What's the difference between "it fails" and "it failed"?

"It fails" is in the present tense, indicating a current or habitual lack of success. "It failed" is in the past tense, indicating that something was unsuccessful at a specific point in the past.