that didn't

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that didn't" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that did not occur or was not successful in a previous context. Example: "I thought the plan would work, but that didn't happen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Fortunately, that didn't happen".

Independent

Obviously, that didn't materialize.

The New York Times - Sports

So that didn't quite count.

The New York Times

Entrances that didn't seem visible".

The New York Times

Competitors that didn't failed.

Forbes

And those that didn't.

Forbes

That didn't".

The New York Times

That didn't stop her.

The New York Times - Books

But that didn't work.

The New York Times

But that didn't last.

The New York Times - Arts

That didn't fly.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that didn't" to clearly and concisely indicate that a particular action or event did not occur or was unsuccessful. It is suitable for both formal and informal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "that didn't" when the subject requires a different auxiliary verb. For instance, don't use it with plural subjects that require "didn't" to be replaced by something else.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that didn't" functions as a negative indicator, expressing the non-occurrence or failure of an action or event. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a grammatically sound and common way to negate a statement. The examples provided showcase its broad applicability across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that didn't" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase to express the non-occurrence or failure of an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness and the examples showcase its diverse applications, particularly in news and media. While more formal alternatives exist, its neutral register allows for versatile usage. Remember to consider the context and choose the most fitting expression, keeping in mind the potential for more descriptive or formal options like "that did not" or "that failed to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that did not

A more formal and explicit way of saying "that didn't".

that didn't work out

Specifically refers to something not resulting in a positive outcome or resolution.

that failed to

Emphasizes the failure of something to achieve a desired outcome.

that wasn't effective

Focuses on the ineffectiveness of something.

that proved unsuccessful

Highlights the lack of success in a more descriptive manner.

that had no effect

Stresses the absence of any impact or result.

that was not the case

States that something was not true or did not happen as expected.

it didn't happen

A direct statement indicating the non-occurrence of an event.

that wasn't so

Indicates that a previous statement or assumption was incorrect.

that wasn't the reality

Emphasizes that the actual situation differed from what was expected.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that didn't" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "that did not", "that failed to", or "that proved unsuccessful" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "that didn't" in academic writing?

Yes, "that didn't" is grammatically correct. However, in academic writing, it might be preferable to use a more formal alternative such as "that did not" or "that was not the case" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "that didn't work" and "that didn't work out"?

"That didn't work" generally means something was ineffective. "That didn't work out" implies a plan or situation did not resolve as hoped, often suggesting a more involved or long-term process.

Can I use "that didn't" in negative sentences?

Yes, "that didn't" is inherently negative. It is used to indicate that something did not occur or was not true. For example, "That didn't matter" means the thing in question had no importance.