a failure to address

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a failure to address" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an oversight or neglect in dealing with a particular issue or topic. Example: "The report highlights a failure to address the concerns raised by the community during the consultation process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A failure to address this shortfall could cost the UK as much as £2bn each year.

The Guardian

Left in a state of crisis, there was a failure to address the underlying causes of their distress.

The Guardian

The federal government must realise that a failure to address housing inequality is a failure to govern.

The Guardian - Opinion

Conversely, a failure to address these shifting skill demands could exacerbate income polarization and stoke political and social tensions.

Harvard Business Review

The two obvious pitfalls are a failure to address complexity and failure to apply effective financial discipline to IT ownership.

The Economist

The second point is that a failure to address the issue risks the development of an increasingly rarefied professional class.

Independent

A failure to address either of these issues can seriously jeopardise the success of e-Science projects.

International Journal of Human-Computer Studies

Opposition parties accused the ruling coalition of widespread corruption and a failure to address unemployment, estimated to be as high as 48%.

The Guardian

In this sense, Pay for Success is an elaborate form of public relations that makes a failure to address a public problem look like innovative action.

The Washington Post

Professor John Harte discusses what environmental science teaches us about the potentially catastrophic consequences of a failure to address the current environmental crisis.

University of California, Berkeley

The Fire Department has faced recent scrutiny for what a judge has characterized as a failure to address racial inequities within its ranks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a failure to address", clearly specify what issue is not being addressed to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "a failure to address the problem", specify "a failure to address the underlying economic disparities".

Common error

While "a failure to address" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your text sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "neglecting to address" or "omission to consider" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a failure to address" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes an omission or lack of action concerning a particular issue. Ludwig AI indicates it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a failure to address" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that points out the lack of action or attention given to a specific issue. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in diverse writing contexts. It's commonly used in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While effective, overuse should be avoided by using synonyms like "neglecting to address" or "omission to consider" to maintain writing quality and reader engagement. Remember to specify what is not being addressed to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neglecting to address

Focuses on the act of neglecting, implying a conscious oversight.

omission to address

Highlights the act of leaving something out, specifically the act of addressing something.

failure to tackle

Replaces 'address' with 'tackle', indicating a lack of direct engagement or problem-solving.

inability to address

Shifts the focus to a lack of capability rather than negligence.

neglect to consider

Emphasizes the lack of consideration given to a particular matter.

oversight in addressing

Highlights an unintentional failure to deal with something.

lapse in addressing

Focuses on a temporary failure or error in dealing with an issue.

disregard for addressing

Implies a deliberate ignoring of the need to deal with something.

shortcoming in addressing

Points to a deficiency or weakness in the way something is handled.

deficiency in handling

Highlights the lack of proper procedure in handling an issue.

FAQs

How can I use "a failure to address" in a sentence?

You can use "a failure to address" to point out a lack of action or attention toward a specific issue. For example, "A failure to address climate change will have severe consequences."

What are some alternatives to "a failure to address"?

Alternatives include phrases like "neglecting to address", "omission to address", or "inability to address", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is more appropriate: "failure to address" or "refusal to address"?

"Failure to address" implies a lack of action or attention, while "refusal to address" suggests a deliberate choice not to deal with something. The better choice depends on the context. If there is an intentional act of not addressing the problem you can say "refusal to address"

What's the difference between "a failure to address" and "a problem to address"?

"A failure to address" refers to the omission of dealing with an existing issue, whereas "a problem to address" refers to an issue that needs to be resolved.