sometimes failed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sometimes failed to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there were occasions when something was not accomplished or did not happen as expected. Example: "The team sometimes failed to meet the project deadlines, which caused delays in the overall timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Shower heads sometimes failed to work.

The Guardian - Travel

He said that appraisers sometimes failed to recognize the increased market value of energy-efficient homes.

The New York Times

Mr. LeLacheur said it sometimes failed to pick up his voice.

The New York Times - Tech

The New Yorker, Mr. Remnick added, has sometimes failed to cover artists adequately on their way to greatness.

The New York Times - Arts

While there were plentiful ear-catching elements, the abstract sounds sometimes failed to coalesce into a memorable whole.

The New York Times - Arts

"Toulouse, the team that sets the standard for everybody else, and Leicester have sometimes failed to qualify.

The New York Times - Sports

Since the late 1980s, she had given only occasional performances and sometimes failed to turn up for studio recordings.

Independent

But Labour will also have to follow through on its rebalanced message – something it has sometimes failed to do.

The Guardian - Business

Recently it has sometimes failed to repair dangerous and unsanitary conditions, even when the funds were available.

The New York Times

The development sector has sometimes failed to appreciate the importance of investing in policing and security interventions.

The Guardian

But they said it sometimes failed to work in noisy places, and its text messages could be slow to arrive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sometimes failed to", ensure the context clearly indicates the circumstances or reasons behind the occasional failure. This adds clarity and depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "sometimes failed to" as a vague statement without providing specific examples or details. Always support the claim with evidence or context to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sometimes failed to" functions as a verb phrase indicating that an action or expectation was not always successfully completed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

29%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sometimes failed to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates occasional lack of success or achievement. According to Ludwig AI, it is confirmed its grammatical correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. Related phrases offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. When using the phrase, it is important to provide context and avoid overgeneralization. As a very common phrase, "sometimes failed to" is a useful addition to a writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occasionally neglected to

Emphasizes a lack of attention or care leading to failure.

at times didn't manage to

Focuses on the inability to accomplish something on certain occasions.

on occasion fell short of

Indicates specific instances of not meeting a certain standard.

periodically were unable to

Highlights recurring instances of being incapable.

every so often didn't accomplish

Suggests that the failure happened with some frequency.

now and then didn't succeed in

Suggests infrequent success in achieving a specific goal.

from time to time were unsuccessful in

Suggests that the lack of success happened repeatedly.

sporadically did not achieve

Implies irregular instances of not reaching the desired outcome.

infrequently did not fulfill

Emphasizes that lack of fulfillness happened in rare occasions.

intermittently missed the mark

Focuses on occasional deviations from a target or expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "sometimes failed to" in a sentence?

You can use "sometimes failed to" to indicate that someone or something did not always succeed in a particular task or situation. For example, "The team "sometimes failed to" meet deadlines, but they always delivered high-quality work."

What are some alternatives to "sometimes failed to"?

Alternatives include "occasionally neglected to", "at times didn't manage to", or "periodically were unable to", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "sometimes failed to" or "failed sometimes"?

"Sometimes failed to" is generally preferred as it maintains a more natural and idiomatic flow in English. "Failed sometimes" is grammatically correct but less common.

What's the difference between "sometimes failed to" and "often failed to"?

"Sometimes failed to" indicates that the failure occurred on some occasions, while "often failed to" implies that the failure was more frequent. The choice depends on the degree of frequency you want to emphasize.