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fail to

/feɪl tu/
phrase★Intermediate— not succeed in doing something
general

to not succeed in doing something; to be unsuccessful in an attempt

She failed to pass the exam despite studying hard.

She did not pass the exam even though she studied hard.

The company failed to meet its quarterly targets.

The company did not achieve its goals for the quarter.

💡

This phrase is commonly used to describe a lack of success in an action or attempt.

Collocations

fail to understandnot comprehend somethingfail to noticenot observe or see somethingfail to realizenot become aware of something

Synonyms

be unable tonot manage tonot succeed in

Antonyms

succeed inmanage toachieve

Related Phrases

fail atphrase
to be unsuccessful in doing something
fail inphrase
to not succeed in a particular area or task

💡Pro Tip

Common Usage

'Fail to' is often used in formal writing and speaking to describe a lack of success in an action or attempt.

⚡Gold Rule

Correct Usage

Use 'fail to' when you want to emphasize the lack of success in an action. Avoid using it when the action was not attempted at all.

📖Word Origin

The phrase 'fail to' is a combination of the verb 'fail' (from Old English 'fælan') and the infinitive marker 'to'. It has been used in English for centuries to describe a lack of success in an action.

📝Usage Notes

This phrase is often used in formal and informal contexts to express a lack of success. It can be used in both positive and negative situations, depending on the context.

Word Breakdown

fail
to be unsuccessful
verb
+
to
infinitive marker
particle
English Dictionary

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