were not fulfilled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not fulfilled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that certain expectations, promises, or conditions were not met or completed. Example: "The terms of the agreement were not fulfilled, leading to a breach of contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These hopes were not fulfilled.

The Economist

That speech raised expectations that were not fulfilled, shaking confidence in US leadership.

The Guardian - Opinion

The broken dreams, it turns out, were arms deals that looked promising but were not fulfilled.

The Economist

However, many of his broad campaign promises were not fulfilled, and he lost his popularity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However the worst predictions of disruption of polls on Thursday were not fulfilled and the turnout was high.

The Guardian

If expectations were not fulfilled, the president's promises could backfire when he sought re-election in 2017, he said.

The Guardian

The hopes that the government soon placed on peace settlements with the eastern states were not fulfilled.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And, it continued, "Post-match media obligations were not fulfilled under Article III 2.6 and 2.7 of the competition regulations.

The New York Times - Sports

The letters asked for the information "in lieu of subpoena" but strongly suggested that subpoenas might follow if the requests were not fulfilled.

The New York Times

Those expectations were not fulfilled due to inconsistent form and injuries until, last year at the Olympics, it all came gloriously right.

The Guardian - Sport

The family had agreed a deal to buy the entire business but pulled out earlier this week claiming some conditions of the deal "were not fulfilled or waived".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were not fulfilled", ensure that the subject clearly indicates what expectations, promises, or conditions have not been met. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "were not fulfilled" without a clear understanding of passive voice. Ensure the sentence structure clearly identifies what was supposed to fulfill the unmet expectations. For example, instead of saying "The project was not fulfilled", specify "The project requirements were not fulfilled by the team."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not fulfilled" functions as a passive construction indicating that a set of expectations, conditions, or promises has not been met. Ludwig examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, from political promises to scientific criteria.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were not fulfilled" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that expectations, promises, or conditions have not been met. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used and understood across various contexts. The analysis shows that it appears frequently in news, scientific literature, and encyclopedias, maintaining a neutral tone appropriate for a broad audience. While alternatives like "were not met" or "were not achieved" exist, understanding the nuance of "were not fulfilled" ensures precise and effective communication. Use it with a clear subject and understanding of passive voice to prevent any misunderstanding and to maximize the clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were not met

This alternative is more direct and emphasizes a failure to satisfy requirements or expectations.

were not achieved

This focuses on the lack of success in attaining a specific goal or objective.

were not realized

This emphasizes the failure of something to become a reality or to happen as planned.

were not attained

Similar to "were not achieved" but can also apply to reaching a certain status or condition.

were left unfulfilled

This emphasizes the sense of something remaining incomplete or unattended to.

did not come to fruition

This alternative suggests a process that began but failed to reach a successful outcome.

fell short of expectations

This indicates that something did not meet the anticipated level or standard.

proved unsuccessful

This highlights the failure of an attempt or effort to achieve a desired result.

were not honored

This implies a failure to respect or uphold a commitment, promise, or agreement.

remained unexecuted

This focuses on the absence of implementation or performance of a plan or task.

FAQs

How can I use "were not fulfilled" in a sentence?

You can use "were not fulfilled" to indicate that certain expectations, promises, or conditions were not met. For example: "The project goals "were not fulfilled" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "were not fulfilled"?

Alternatives include "were not met", "were not realized", or "were not achieved", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "were not fulfilled" or "was not fulfilled"?

"Were not fulfilled" is used with plural subjects, while "was not fulfilled" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The promises were not fulfilled", but "The promise was not fulfilled".

What is the difference between "were not fulfilled" and "were not completed"?

"Were not fulfilled" implies a failure to meet expectations or promises, while "were not completed" simply means that something was left unfinished. The former carries a connotation of unmet expectations, whereas the latter is a statement of incompletion.