we failed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'we failed to' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate that a group or person could not complete a particular task or action. Example: We failed to reach our fundraising goal this year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We failed to spot this early enough".

The Economist

We failed to ask it.

The Guardian - Opinion

We failed to do so.

The Guardian - Books

We failed to cover everything.

The Guardian

We failed to achieve that.

The Guardian

We failed to properly explain the dilemmas.

The Guardian

Haven't we failed to understand Arab grievances?

The New York Times

People say we failed to attract students.

The Guardian

"We failed to corrupt our daughters," she said.

The New Yorker

"Our community failed to thrive because we failed to stay".

The New York Times

"We failed to make peace and to make war.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "we failed to" with an explanation. Briefly explain the reason of failure or how you plan to approach the issue if you want to show responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "we failed to" without providing specific details about the failure. Instead of saying "we failed to deliver", specify what wasn't delivered, such as "we failed to deliver the project on time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we failed to" functions as a declarative statement expressing a lack of success in achieving a specific goal or completing a particular task. Ludwig confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we failed to" is a commonly used phrase to express the lack of success in achieving a goal or completing a task. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, including News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, it is best to be specific about the failure and provide context to avoid ambiguity. While it's appropriate in both formal and informal writing, professional alternatives like "we were unable to" can be considered for a more polished tone. Recognizing and addressing common errors, such as vague language, can further enhance clarity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were unsuccessful in

Changes the verb from "failed" to "were unsuccessful", adding a preposition.

we did not succeed in

Replaces "failed" with the negative form of "succeed", introducing "did not".

we could not manage to

Uses "could not manage" to express an inability to accomplish something.

we were unable to

Employs "unable" to indicate a lack of capacity or power to do something.

we fell short of

Uses "fell short" to suggest not reaching a target or expectation.

we didn't achieve

A more concise way of saying "we failed to achieve".

we missed the mark

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate a failure to hit the intended target.

we proved incapable of

Emphasizes a lack of inherent ability to do something.

our efforts were in vain

Shifts the focus to the futility of the efforts made.

we were defeated in our attempt to

Indicates failure in the context of a struggle or competition.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we failed to" to sound more professional?

Consider using phrases like "we were unable to", "we did not succeed in", or "we were unsuccessful in" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it ever appropriate to use "we failed to" in formal writing?

Yes, "we failed to" is appropriate when acknowledging a lack of success. However, always follow it with a clear and concise explanation of the reasons for the failure and any steps being taken to address it.

What's the difference between "we failed to" and "we didn't try to"?

"We failed to" indicates that an attempt was made but was unsuccessful. "We didn't try to" suggests that no attempt was made at all. The phrases have very different implications.

What are some less direct ways to say "we failed to"?

Alternatives include "we fell short of", "we missed the mark", or "our efforts were not fruitful". These options can soften the impact of the statement while still conveying the lack of success.