it has foiled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has foiled" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where a plan or attempt has been thwarted or prevented from succeeding. Example: "The security measures were so effective that it has foiled several attempts to breach the system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It has foiled many a maker and viewer.

The New York Times - Arts

Russia says it has foiled a plot by Islamist rebels to attack the southern city of Sochi when it hosts the Winter Olympics in 2014.

The Guardian

Israel has said it has foiled an "advanced" al-Qaida plan to carry out a suicide bombing on the US embassy in Tel Aviv and other targets.

The Guardian

Yemen says it has foiled an al-Qaida plot to blow up oil pipelines and seize some of the country's main ports, but security remains tight and hundreds of armoured vehicles have been deployed to protect key targets.

The Guardian

The Iraqi Army says it has foiled a number of other planned attacks, arresting more than 20 people.

BBC

Over the past several years, the government has announced that it has foiled several domestic terrorist plots but has provided few details.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

At the time, Ethiopia claimed it had foiled the large bomb plot by its tiny neighbour and foe, the latest in a series of accusations and counter-accusations by the two governments.

The Guardian

The curfew has now been lifted, but the army announced it had foiled a coup attempt.

The Economist

See article The government of Yemen said that it had foiled a major terrorist plot.

The Economist

Israel said it had foiled a Palestinian plot to mount six simultaneous suicide-bombings.

The Economist

The army of war-divided Ivory Coast said it had foiled an "imminent" coup plot against President Laurent Gbagbo.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it has foiled", ensure the subject clearly identifies what entity successfully prevented an action or plan.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating what "it" refers to; otherwise, the sentence can become confusing and lose its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has foiled" functions as a declarative statement, indicating that a subject has successfully prevented something from occurring. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is commonly used in news and media to report on thwarted plans or actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has foiled" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression, particularly in news and media contexts, to describe the successful prevention of an action or plan. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for neutral and formal registers. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure clarity regarding what "it" refers to. Alternative phrases, such as "it has prevented" or "it has thwarted", can be used to add nuance. The most frequent sources of the examples are authoritative news outlets like The Guardian and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has prevented

Replaces "foiled" with a more general term for stopping something from happening.

it has thwarted

Similar to "foiled" but suggests a more forceful or strategic prevention.

it has blocked

Implies an obstruction that stops progress or action.

it has stopped

A simpler and more direct way of saying something was prevented.

it has circumvented

Suggests avoiding or evading a problem or obstacle.

it has neutralized

Indicates rendering something ineffective or harmless.

it has countered

Implies acting against something to negate its effect.

it has subdued

Suggests bringing something under control or suppressing it.

it has averted

Highlights the successful prevention of a negative outcome.

it has frustrated

Emphasizes the disappointment and failure of the opposed action.

FAQs

How can I use "it has foiled" in a sentence?

Use "it has foiled" to describe a situation where something has successfully prevented a plan or attempt. For example, "The new security system it has foiled several hacking attempts".

What are some alternatives to "it has foiled"?

You can use alternatives like "it has prevented", "it has thwarted", or "it has blocked" depending on the specific context.

Which is more formal, "it has foiled" or "it has prevented"?

"It has foiled" and "it has prevented" are both suitable for formal writing, but "it has foiled" might carry a slightly stronger connotation of active intervention.

What is the difference between "it has foiled" and "it has frustrated"?

"It has foiled" means that something was successfully prevented from happening. "It has frustrated" means that something has caused disappointment or a sense of being upset, which may not necessarily mean complete prevention.