fail to vs failure to

Both 'fail to' and 'failure to' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Fail to' is used when talking about the action of not succeeding in doing something, while 'failure to' is used to emphasize the lack of success or the negative consequence of not doing something.

Last updated: April 08, 2024 • 121 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"fail to"

Use 'fail to' when you want to express the action of not succeeding in doing something.

Examples:

I fail to see the point of this argument.
She failed to submit her assignment on time.
They failed to reach an agreement.
He failed to understand the instructions.
We failed to meet the deadline.

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Particularly those that you fail to solve.
Antipsychotics fail to significantly improve the negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunction.
Sometimes, antivirus programs fail to remove these viruses.
Something we frequently fail to acquire.
The installation probe may otherwise fail to find it.
» Software upgrades fail to support legacy files.
Their impersonality and structure fail to speak convincingly to many.
Their digestive systems frequently fail to process the food properly.
This will absolutely fail to respect international law.
Robert, you never fail to amaze me.
You never fail to nauseate me, boy.
It's unprofessional conduct for a prosecutor to fail to disclose...
That's a potential scenario if we fail to take this seriously.
But, nothing else will matter if we fail to protect the ocean.
And they conspicuously fail to mention the results.
You fail to connect actions to their consequences.
Don't fail to look us up in Los Angeles.
Some obscure meaning in this I fail to catch.
There was something I could scarcely fail to notice the last time I was in this house.
A crime you still fail to avenge?

Alternatives:

did not succeed in
did not manage to
were unable to

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"failure to"

Use 'failure to' when you want to emphasize the lack of success or the negative consequence of not doing something.

Examples:

The failure to follow safety procedures resulted in an accident.
Her failure to communicate effectively led to misunderstandings.
The company's failure to adapt to market changes caused its downfall.
The failure to address the issue promptly worsened the situation.
His failure to apologize only made things worse.

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Our failure to alleviate their plight is morally reprehensible.
This war represents a failure to listen.
So perhaps it's the opposite: A failure to behave naturally.
I've been informed that our failure to deliver any useable results is unacceptable.
My failure to wake up shows how I blow all my chances for a better life.
The failure to provide a male heir has consumed them.
And to my failure to understand them.
Your utter failure to diagnose and treat my affliction will go unreported and unpunished.
Their failure to have children meant the end of the House of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen.
Torrance, crushed by her failure to lead the team successfully, considers quitting.
Brandt confesses to Ethan about his failure to protect Julia.
Multiannual contracts: specific financial correction - failure to achieve minimum quantities.
Public scandals demonstrate the failure to consistently regulate these procedures.
Therefore France considers a market failure to be present.
Now failure to produce enough insulin is incompatible with life.
What we've got here is... failure to communicate.
Prince was arrested, failure to pay child support.
Be advised and notify hostage, failure to respond, more equipment.
There is no evidence of a failure to supervise that would lead to disciplinary action.
Her failure to contain Nikita only proves that.

Alternatives:

neglecting to
omission of
lack of

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fail to vs failure to

"fail to"

"failure to"

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