it failed to reach

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it failed to reach" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that did not achieve a goal or target, such as a deadline, audience, or expected outcome. Example: "The project was ambitious, but unfortunately, it failed to reach its funding goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although the club won the most games in its history, it failed to reach the playoffs for the eighth consecutive year.

Wikipedia

Last year it failed to reach its target of 725 tonnes, achieving 590.

The Guardian

In April, Syria launched its own campaign to take Raqqa, though it failed to reach the city and soon retreated in the face of reinforcements by the jihadists.

Los Angeles Times

Valeant, a Canadian durg maker, pulled its $360 takeover bid for ISTA in February after it failed to reach a deal with the company.

The New York Times

NBC Universal confirmed Monday that its TV shows are no longer available at iTunes after it failed to reach an agreement on a new contract with Apple.

Forbes

See articleConnection problemsTelstra cancelled plans to build a high-speed internet network in Australia after it failed to reach agreement with regulators on access fees for its rivals.

The Economist

A sombre, interior work, it failed to reach the audience it deserved.

The Guardian - Film

The bill was watered down and passed by the House, but it failed to reach the Senate floor.

The New Yorker

After it failed to reach an agreement last week, the task, by law, passed to the court.

The New York Times

The river was so overexploited that it failed to reach the sea for 226 days a year.

The Guardian

The House of Representatives rejected a statehood bill in 1993, and it failed to reach a Senate vote.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it failed to reach" when describing situations where a specific target, agreement, or goal was not achieved despite efforts. For instance, "The company's marketing campaign failed to reach its target audience."

Common error

Avoid using "it failed to reach" in overly passive constructions that obscure the actor responsible for the failure. Instead of saying, "The target was failed to be reached by the team", write, "The team failed to reach the target".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it failed to reach" functions as a predicate, indicating the inability of a subject ('it') to achieve a particular target or goal. This can range from failing to meet a sales target, as per examples in the news, to failing to achieve statistical significance in scientific research.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

30%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it failed to reach" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe the lack of attainment of a specific goal or target. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is widely applicable across different contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific publications. While primarily negative in connotation, it maintains a neutral to professional tone, making it suitable for diverse writing scenarios. Understanding its usage and potential errors helps ensure clarity and precision in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it did not attain

Replaces "failed to reach" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the lack of achievement.

it was unsuccessful in achieving

Focuses on the lack of success in achieving something, adding a bit more emphasis.

it fell short of

Implies not quite reaching a desired level or standard.

it couldn't achieve

Highlights the inability to achieve a goal, suggesting a lack of capacity.

it didn't accomplish

Emphasizes the lack of accomplishment, focusing on the end result.

it proved unable to get to

Indicates an inability to arrive at or access a particular destination or outcome.

it ended up not reaching

Adds a sense of finality, indicating that despite efforts, the goal was not achieved.

it was incapable of attaining

Strongly conveys an inherent inability to reach a certain level or outcome.

it missed the mark of

Emphasizes a deviation from the desired target or objective.

it did not meet

Highlights the failure to satisfy a requirement or expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "it failed to reach" in a sentence?

You can use "it failed to reach" to describe something that did not achieve a specific goal or target. For example, "The project was ambitious, but "it failed to reach" its funding goal."

What can I say instead of "it failed to reach"?

Alternatives include "it did not attain", "it fell short of", or "it did not meet", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "it failed to reach" in formal writing?

The phrase is suitable for formal writing when you need to objectively state that a certain objective was not accomplished. However, consider alternatives like "it was unsuccessful in achieving" for a more nuanced tone.

Is "it failed to reach" always negative in connotation?

Yes, the phrase generally carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of success or achievement. Ensure this aligns with your intended meaning. Otherwise, you might want to consider alternatives that carry a more neutral or factual meaning, such as "it did not attain".