it failed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it failed to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something did not succeed in achieving a particular action or outcome. Example: "The project was ambitious, but ultimately it failed to meet its objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But it failed to sustain its gains.

The New York Times

Yet it failed to carry out its responsibility.

The New York Times

It failed to heed advice from its lawyers.

BBC

(It failed to pass).

The New York Times

It failed to do that.

The New York Times - Health

It failed to make it.

The New York Times - Arts

But it failed to materialize.

The New York Times

It failed to do so.

The New Yorker

It failed to catch on.

The Economist

Yet it failed to do so.

The Economist

It failed to win a medal.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it failed to", ensure the pronoun "it" clearly refers to a specific subject or action to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "The system was implemented, but it failed to deliver results", write "The implemented system failed to deliver results."

Common error

Avoid using "it failed to" in overly passive constructions that obscure the actor responsible. Instead of "The problem was not addressed because it failed to be recognized", specify who failed to recognize the problem: "The team failed to recognize the problem, and therefore it was not addressed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it failed to" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a lack of success in performing a particular action. It is commonly used to express that something did not achieve its intended purpose or goal. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

10%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it failed to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating a lack of success. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase enjoys broad applicability across various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and general discourse. When using this phrase, clarity is key. Ensure that the pronoun "it" has a clear antecedent. While generally neutral in tone, be mindful of passive constructions that might obscure responsibility. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "it did not succeed in". The high frequency and diverse source attestation underscore the phrase's reliability and utility in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it did not succeed in

Replaces "failed" with a more formal phrasing using "did not succeed".

it was unsuccessful in

Uses "unsuccessful" to directly state the lack of success.

it proved unable to

Emphasizes the inability to accomplish the task.

it fell short of

Indicates that the effort didn't reach the required level.

it didn't manage to

Suggests a lack of successful management in achieving the goal.

it was not able to

Highlights the lack of capacity or ability.

it missed the mark on

Implies an aim that was not accurately achieved.

it floundered in

Suggests a struggling or clumsy failure.

it came to nothing

Indicates a complete lack of positive outcome.

it bombed

Informal expression for a complete and utter failure.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it failed to" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases such as "it did not succeed in", "it was unsuccessful in", or "it proved unable to" depending on the specific context.

What are some common synonyms for "it failed to"?

Some common synonyms include "it fell short of", "it didn't manage to", and "it was not able to". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it failed to" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it failed to" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard subject-verb-infinitive structure in English. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability.

How does the meaning of "it failed to" differ from "it attempted to"?

"It attempted to" implies an effort was made, regardless of the outcome. "It failed to" indicates that the effort did not achieve the desired result. For example, "It attempted to start, but it failed to do so" shows both the effort and the lack of success.