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fail to
/feɪl tu/
not succeed in doing something
He failed to complete the task on time.
He did not succeed in finishing the task before the deadline.
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
Antonyms
Related Phrases
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
verbto
infinitive marker
particleEnglish Dictionary