that never materialised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that never materialised" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a hope, dream, plan, or other expectation that did not come to fruition. For example: I had always dreamed of going to medical school, but unfortunately, that never materialised.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

It went with the growth that never materialised.

The Economist

Had he been hoping for catastrophes that never materialised?

The Guardian - Opinion

Two years ago the chancellor presented a rising profile of growth figures that never materialised.

The Guardian - Opinion

Much of that borrowing was done on the basis of profit margins that never materialised.

The Guardian

Banks was subsequently hired by Jonathan Demme to work on a screen adaptation that never materialised.

The Guardian - Film

Cordon commissioned a play that never materialised and Halliwell drifted towards two-bit television.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

I often wonder about the ones that never materialise into pregnancy announcements.

The Guardian - Opinion

US presidential statements, while usually filled with tedious platitudes and lofty proposals that never materialise, occasionally rise above the mundane.

The Guardian

On Thursday morning, walking to the Moderna Museet, I am struck by the uncanny silence in Stockholm, the wide pavements for crowds that never materialise, the sense that everything is clean and cold, candles glimpsed through every window, great white boats parked on the water.

The Guardian - Arts

One well-worn wheeze is to pay for imported goods or services that never materialise.

The Economist

Higher spending is always met from "efficiency savings elsewhere", savings that never materialise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that never materialised" to describe situations where a plan, promise, or expectation did not become a reality. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "that never materialised" can sometimes sound slightly informal in very high-level academic or business writing. Consider more formal alternatives like "that did not come to fruition" or "that was not realized" for such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that never materialised" functions as a relative clause modifying a noun, indicating that a particular plan, hope, or expectation did not come to fruition. Ludwig examples showcase its role in specifying conditions or outcomes that did not occur.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

12%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that never materialised" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase, functioning as a relative clause to describe unfulfilled expectations or unrealized plans. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, it's versatile enough for general use, though more formal options might suit academic or business settings. Be mindful of the British English spelling ("materialised") versus the American English spelling ("materialized"). The phrase effectively conveys a sense of disappointment or explanation regarding outcomes that did not occur.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that didn't come to fruition

Replaces "materialised" with "come to fruition", emphasizing the lack of realization.

that didn't pan out

Uses the idiomatic phrase "pan out" to convey the failure of something to succeed.

that failed to happen

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on the lack of occurrence.

that was not realized

Emphasizes the unrealized nature of the expectation or plan.

that didn't become a reality

Highlights the lack of transformation into something tangible or actual.

that remained unfulfilled

Focuses on the lack of completion or satisfaction of the original intention.

that proved illusory

Emphasizes the deceptive or misleading nature of the initial expectation.

that came to nothing

Expresses the complete lack of result or outcome.

that was all for naught

Uses a more poetic phrasing to convey the futility of the initial effort or expectation.

that fell through

Uses the idiom "fell through" to describe a plan or arrangement that failed to materialize.

FAQs

How can I use "that never materialised" in a sentence?

You can use "that never materialised" to describe a situation where something expected did not happen. For example, "The promised funding increases "that never materialised" left the project in jeopardy."

What are some alternatives to "that never materialised"?

Alternatives include "that didn't happen", "that failed to occur", or "that did not come to fruition" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "that never materialised"?

Yes, "that never materialised" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both British and American English.

What is the difference between "that never materialised" and "that never materialized"?

"Materialised" is the British English spelling, while "materialized" is the American English spelling. Both are correct, but consistency within a document is key. They both mean "that didn't happen" or become a reality.