we failed to achieve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we failed to achieve" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing unmet goals or objectives in various contexts, such as business, personal development, or project evaluations. Example: "Despite our best efforts, we failed to achieve the targets set for this quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

We failed to achieve that.

The Guardian

"But we failed to achieve that in the case of Ebola".

The Guardian

"This may be a shocker to some of you and we want you to know that we're really sorry we failed to achieve your expectations".

TechCrunch

In 1978, the Alma-Ata Declaration was signed with the ambitious goal of achieving "Health for All by 2000". We failed to achieve it.

HuffPost

Let's not forget we failed to achieve MDG2 for exactly those children and communities most likely to be left behind again.

Huffington Post

Worse yet, after the bitter trench warfare and brinksmanship of the 2011 debt ceiling deal, not only have we failed to achieve serious budget savings, it's probable we'll hit the debt limit again this year, sooner than was originally expected.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

After all, many of us set goals for ourselves every year that we fail to achieve.

Harvard University

If we fail to achieve or attempt to achieve cultural harmonization then economic globalization will create unimaginable conflicts.

The New York Times

If we fail to achieve the adoption of a second resolution, we would need to consider urgently at that stage the strength of our legal case in the light of circumstances at that time.

The Guardian

If we fail to achieve the adoption of a second resolution we would need to consider urgently at that stage the strength of our legal case in the light of circumstances at the time.

The Guardian

"There is plenty of work showing that pursuing happiness as a goal is counter-productive because when we fail to achieve our goals we feel disappointed and this serves to push the goal further away," said Dr Bastian.

The Telegraph

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when using this phrase; in sensitive contexts, it may be beneficial to follow up with an explanation of why the goal was not achieved and what steps are being taken to address the failure.

Common error

Avoid using "we failed to achieve" without specifying what was failed to be achieved. Vague statements can reduce accountability and understanding. Always state the specific goal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we failed to achieve" functions as a declarative statement expressing the lack of success in reaching a specific goal or objective. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It serves to convey information about an unmet target.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we failed to achieve" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express the non-attainment of a specific goal or objective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While the phrase is direct, it is important to provide clear context and potentially an explanation for the failure. Alternatives like "we did not accomplish" or "we were unable to reach" can offer slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, it is important to be clear about what specifically was not achieved to maintain transparency and accountability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we did not accomplish

Replaces "failed to achieve" with a more direct term for not succeeding.

we were unable to reach

Indicates an inability to attain a specific target or goal.

we fell short of

Suggests that the effort made was insufficient to meet the desired outcome.

we didn't succeed in

Uses a more informal tone to convey the lack of success.

we were unsuccessful in

A slightly more formal way to express failure to accomplish something.

our efforts did not yield

Focuses on the lack of results from the attempts made.

we couldn't attain

Highlights the inability to reach or obtain a specific goal.

we missed the mark

Idiomatic expression indicating a failure to meet expectations or achieve a goal.

we proved incapable of

Emphasizes a lack of capability to achieve the desired outcome.

we were defeated in

Suggests a more forceful opposition or difficulty leading to failure.

FAQs

How can I use "we failed to achieve" in a sentence?

You can use "we failed to achieve" to express the non-attainment of a goal, such as "Despite our efforts, "we failed to achieve" the desired sales target this quarter".

What are some alternatives to "we failed to achieve"?

Alternatives include phrases like "we did not accomplish", "we were unable to reach", or "we fell short of", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "we failed to achieve" or "we did not achieve"?

Both ""we failed to achieve"" and "we did not achieve" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the desired emphasis; "failed" can imply a stronger sense of shortcoming or unmet expectation.

What is the difference between "we failed to achieve" and "we attempted but did not achieve"?

"We failed to achieve" is a direct statement of non-achievement. "We attempted but did not achieve" emphasizes the effort made, softening the impact of the failure.