that did not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that did not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that was not done or did not happen in a specific context. Example: "The results of the experiment were inconclusive, which was a disappointment for the team that did not expect such an outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

"Unfortunately, that did not happen.

The New York Times

Regretfully, that did not happen".

The New York Times

One that did not?

The New York Times - Sports

And if that did not happen?

The New York Times - Sports

This week, that did not help.

The New York Times - Arts

That did not help.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Competitors that didn't failed.

Forbes

And those that didn't.

Forbes

that does not exceed.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

"Hopefully, that doesn't happen.

The New York Times - Sports

Stimuli that don't stimulate.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that did not" to clearly and directly negate an expectation or a previous statement. It provides a straightforward way to indicate that something didn't occur or wasn't true.

Common error

While "that did not" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing. Consider more sophisticated alternatives like "failed to materialize" or "did not come to fruition" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that did not" primarily functions as a negative statement, indicating the non-occurrence of an event or the falsity of a claim. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a correct and usable phrase. Many examples on Ludwig illustrate this function in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that did not" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for expressing negation, denial, or the absence of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile, it's best used in neutral contexts, avoiding overuse in strictly formal writing where more sophisticated alternatives may be preferable. The examples indicate that this expression is frequently used in "News & Media" contexts and slightly less in "Science" and "Formal & Business" settings. Consider alternatives such as "that wasn't the case" or "that didn't happen" depending on the desired nuance and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that didn't happen

Directly states the non-occurrence of an event, emphasizing its absence.

that wasn't the case

Rephrases the negation more explicitly, focusing on the contrary nature of the situation.

that failed to

Highlights the lack of success or fulfillment of an action or expectation.

that was not successful

States directly that a particular attempt or action did not achieve its intended goal.

that proved ineffective

Emphasizes the lack of desired result or impact, indicating a failure in effectiveness.

that missed the mark

Suggests a failure to achieve the intended objective or effect, implying a deviation from the target.

that yielded no results

Focuses on the absence of positive outcomes or consequences from a particular action.

that bore no fruit

Emphasizes the lack of positive results or benefits, akin to 'yielded no results'.

it did not transpire

A more formal way of saying something didn't occur, adding a touch of sophistication.

it did not come to pass

Similar to 'it did not transpire', this idiom indicates non-fulfillment or non-occurrence.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that did not" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "failed to materialize", "did not come to fruition", or "proved ineffective" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "that did not happen" and "that didn't happen"?

"That did not happen" is the full, uncontracted form, while "that didn't happen" is the contracted form. Both are grammatically correct, but the contracted form is generally more informal.

When is it best to use "that did not" instead of simply "no"?

Use "that did not" when you need to refer back to a specific action, event, or statement. "No" is a more general negation. For instance, "I expected it to rain, but "that did not"" is clearer than just saying "no".

Are there any contexts where "that did not" is considered incorrect?

While grammatically sound, avoid using "that did not" excessively in very formal or academic writing where more sophisticated alternatives might be preferred. Additionally, ensure the pronoun "that" clearly refers to a specific subject or action to avoid ambiguity.