she failed to

USAGE SUMMARY

"she failed to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an action that was not successfully accomplished. Example: She failed to turn in her assignment on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But she failed to make the cut.

The New York Times

Worse, she failed to control the army.

The Economist

Once again, she failed to do so.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet she failed to find a match.

The New York Times - Health

In another, she failed to remember me.

The New York Times

Predictably she failed to hold.

The Guardian - Sport

But she failed to respond.

The Guardian

She failed to do so.

The Guardian

Each time she failed to turn up.

The Guardian

But she failed to become pregnant.

The New York Times - Health

She failed to obtain that unity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when using "she failed to"; in formal writing, alternatives like "she was unsuccessful in" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "she failed to" in excessively passive constructions. Instead of "The task she failed to complete was…", directly state "She failed to complete the task…" for a more direct and impactful sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she failed to" functions as a verb phrase expressing a lack of successful action. It directly states that a woman or girl did not achieve a specific outcome. Ludwig AI confirms this structure and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she failed to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating a lack of success. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and practical usage. Its prevalence in diverse sources like news outlets, encyclopedias, and scientific publications underscores its broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure the context and desired tone are considered, as alternatives may offer a softer or more formal expression. To reiterate, the phrase primarily functions to convey a specific unaccomplished action or goal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she didn't manage to

Emphasizes the lack of success in an attempt.

she was unsuccessful in

More formal and emphasizes the lack of a positive outcome.

she was unable to

Focuses on the inability or lack of capacity.

she did not succeed in

Highlights the absence of a successful result.

she couldn't

Informal contraction indicating inability.

she fell short of

Suggests that the goal was nearly achieved but not quite.

she proved incapable of

Highlights an inherent lack of capability.

she missed the mark

Idiomatic expression indicating a failure to achieve the desired outcome.

she came up short

Indicates a deficiency or lack in reaching a goal.

she bombed

Informal and indicates a complete and utter failure.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "she failed to" in a formal context?

In formal settings, consider using more sophisticated alternatives such as "she was unsuccessful in" or "she did not succeed in" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "she failed to" and "she didn't try to"?

"She failed to" indicates an attempt was made but unsuccessful, while "she didn't try to" suggests no attempt was made at all. The former implies effort, the latter does not.

Is "she failed to" too harsh or negative?

While direct, "she failed to" isn't inherently harsh. However, consider softening the language with phrases like "she fell short of" or "she didn't manage to" if the context requires a more empathetic tone.

What are some common things people "she failed to" do?

Common examples include "she failed to meet the deadline", "she failed to achieve her goals", or "she failed to pass the test", indicating a lack of success in various endeavors.