they failed to appear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they failed to appear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in contexts where someone or a group was expected to be present but did not show up. Example: "The witnesses were supposed to testify in court, but they failed to appear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

But they failed to appear.

The Guardian - Music

When they failed to appear, the judge ordered them deported.

The New York Times

When they failed to appear, Molineux led five hundred people to the store where the merchants were huddled, and its doors were torn from their hinges.

The New Yorker

Stronger drinks had been forbidden, on the grounds that they "corrupt the palate," and although hors d'oeuvres were several times promised, they failed to appear.

The New York Times - Magazine

Judge Napela Saintil agreed in September to try the 37 defendants in absentia after they failed to appear in court to answer the charges.

The New York Times

On Tuesday, a Thai court issued arrest warrants for Mr. Thaksin and his wife, Pojaman Shinawatra, when they failed to appear to face corruption charges.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Some make defendants liable for a given sum should they fail to appear but do not collect it up front.

The New York Times

If reported by the school district to a municipal or county court, they can face fines of up to $500 and be arrested if they fail to appear before a judge.

The New York Times

Mr Davies denies this.Spot the difference: Labour's Glenda Jackson and Frank Dobson are replaced by cardboard cut-outs after they fail to appear at a debate held by Camden Irish Forum in London.Stunt: To show how much he really cares about the National Health Service, Paddy Ashdown, the Liberal Democrat leader, empties a bedpan while on a visit to a London hospital.

The Economist

The profits follow, and if we have remembered that, they have never failed to appear.

The New York Times

The profits follow, and if we have remembered that, they have never failed to appear," said George Merck, an early chairman of the eponymous drug company.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they failed to appear" to emphasize a broken expectation or commitment, rather than simply stating someone's absence.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "they failed to appear" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using more natural alternatives like "they didn't show up" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they failed to appear" functions as a statement indicating the absence of a group of individuals from a scheduled event or obligation. It highlights the non-fulfillment of an expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they failed to appear" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to indicate the absence of a group from a scheduled event or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While its frequency is uncommon, it is found across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and wiki articles. The phrase carries a neutral to formal tone, emphasizing the non-fulfillment of an expected presence. For informal settings, alternatives such as "they didn't show up" may be more appropriate. Remember to clearly define 'they' to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they did not show up

Replaces "failed to appear" with a more direct and informal expression of absence.

they were absent

Uses a simple adjective to describe their lack of presence.

they were no-shows

Employs a noun phrase indicating a person or people who did not attend an event.

they were not present

Uses a more formal tone to indicate their absence.

they missed the event

Focuses on the event they did not attend.

they skipped the meeting

Suggests a deliberate decision to not attend.

they did not attend

A more formal way of saying they didn't go.

they defaulted on their obligation

Emphasizes the unfulfilled commitment of appearing.

they reneged on their commitment

Highlights a broken promise to be present.

they bailed out

An informal way of indicating they abandoned their commitment.

FAQs

What does "they failed to appear" mean?

The phrase "they failed to appear" means that a group of people did not show up or attend a scheduled event, meeting, or appointment. It implies an expectation that they would be present, which was not met.

What are some alternatives to saying "they failed to appear"?

You can use alternatives like "they did not show up", "they were absent", or "they did not attend" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "they failed to appear"?

Yes, the phrase "they failed to appear" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers numerous examples from reputable sources.

In what situations is "they failed to appear" most appropriate?

The phrase "they failed to appear" is suitable in situations where it's important to highlight the lack of attendance or the breaking of an expected presence, particularly in legal, formal, or official contexts.