were not realized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not realized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something did not come to fruition or was not achieved. Example: "The plans for the new project were not realized due to budget constraints."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"The fears were not realized".

The New York Times

A viewer's worst fears were not realized.

The New York Times

But the revenues he promised the Crown were not realized.

The New Yorker

Many of his ambitious plans were not realized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ultimately, the Mets' worst fears were not realized.

The New York Times - Sports

Most voting appeared peaceful, however, and fears of attacks by Zelaya supporters were not realized.

The Washington Post

But for all the havoc wreaked by crack, the worst fears were not realized.

The New York Times

My sons' worst fears were not realized: no one walked out; no one threw spitballs.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Interest rates did go up, but the broader fears were not realized President Donald Trump continued raving about how a combination of massive tax cuts for the super rich and gutted regulations have saved America from decline.

Vice

When these results were not realized, civil unrest began to imbed itself into the fabric of the Panamanian people.

Stanford University

I believed that the movement had to continue on its path even if its political aims were not realized in the short term.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were not realized", ensure the subject clearly indicates what specific plans, hopes, or expectations did not come to fruition for clarity and impact. For instance, "The project's initial goals were not realized due to unforeseen circumstances."

Common error

Avoid using "were not realized" without specifying who or what was supposed to realize something. Vague sentences like "Mistakes were not realized" lack clarity. Instead, specify who failed to realize them: "The errors were not realized by the auditors until after the report was published."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not realized" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that something anticipated or intended did not occur. Ludwig's examples show its usage across various contexts, highlighting unfulfilled expectations or unrealized plans.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

6%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were not realized" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something expected or intended did not come to pass. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's versatile enough for use across varied contexts, from formal reports to news articles. When using the phrase, make sure to specify what exactly didn't come to fruition to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "did not materialize" or "were not achieved" for stylistic variation. This phrase, while common, benefits from clear context to ensure its meaning is accurately conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not materialize

This alternative uses a more concrete verb to indicate the absence of a tangible outcome.

did not come to pass

This option offers a more formal and somewhat literary way of expressing that an event or expectation did not occur.

were not achieved

This alternative focuses on the lack of accomplishment, highlighting the effort that did not produce the desired result.

failed to happen

This phrase is more direct and straightforward, suitable for less formal contexts.

did not transpire

This offers a more formal synonym, implying that an event did not occur as expected or planned.

were unsuccessful

This alternative emphasizes the failure of an attempt or endeavor to reach a successful conclusion.

proved unfeasible

This suggests that the plans or ideas were found to be impractical or impossible to implement.

remained unfulfilled

This option is used to express the non-completion of an expectation or promise.

were negated

This indicates that the plans or ideas were countered and brought to nothing.

fell through

This idiom suggests a sudden and disappointing failure of plans or arrangements.

FAQs

What does "were not realized" mean?

The phrase "were not realized" means that something expected, planned, or hoped for did not happen or come into being. It indicates a lack of fulfillment or achievement.

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

You can use "were not realized" to describe unfulfilled goals, expectations, or plans. For example, "The company's profit projections "were not realized" due to the economic downturn."

What are some alternatives to "were not realized"?

Alternatives include "did not materialize", "were not achieved", or "did not come to pass", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when expressing that something did not happen?

The choice between active and passive voice depends on the context. "The company failed to meet its goals" (active) is more direct, while "The company's goals "were not realized"" (passive) emphasizes the goals themselves. Choose the construction that best suits your focus.