a failure to adjust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a failure to adjust" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something does not adapt or change as needed. Example: "The team's performance suffered due to a failure to adjust to the new market conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

But Mr Rumsfeld ended up suffering from the very problem that he saw in his critics: a failure to adjust his thinking to new circumstances.

The Economist

Is it incompetence, is it ideological blinders, or is it a paradigmatic failure, a failure to adjust to the need for a new paradigm about how to secure our national security?

University of California, Berkeley

Some critics say its problems show a failure to adjust from running a government bureaucracy that served a captive, regulated market to managing an independent company in an industry dominated by nimble, unregulated customers.

The New York Times

Mr. Kyriacou's actions appear simply to be a failure to adjust to the culture of state government, which requires that the most picayune details about the use of public resources be accounted for and recorded.

The New York Times

Cage's highly forgiving definition of error, as "simply a failure to adjust immediately from a preconception to an actuality," has helped temper my self-judgmental parameters of right and wrong, all or nothing.

The New York Times

The report focused entirely on the impact of Bush-era tax cuts expiring for middle-class taxpayers at the end of the year and a failure to adjust the Alternative Minimum Tax so that it does not suddenly apply to millions of taxpayers who have not paid it in the past.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The lack of improvement in the deprivation gap in relative survival is therefore not an artefact of failure to adjust for changes in background mortality among women with breast cancer.

British Journal of Cancer

The European Union is contemplating introducing a system of "blue cards" that will give talented people a fast track to EU citizenship.The United States is already paying a price for its failure to adjust to the new world.

The Economist

In England and Wales, a study found no association between resistance and bloodstream infection, but that study had substantial limitations, including the failure to use pansusceptible salmonellae as a referent group and the failure to adjust for confounders, such as age (16).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

"But it is really a tale of a world of dislocated sexual relations and failure to adjust".

The New Yorker

Since 1989, Romania's failure to adjust to a free-market economy has left the country one of the poorest in Eastern Europe.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a failure to adjust", ensure the context clearly indicates what needs adjustment and why. This makes your writing more precise and impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "a failure to adjust" in vague contexts. Always specify what system, process, or behavior requires adjustment. For instance, instead of saying "The project failed due to a failure to adjust", specify "The project failed due to a failure to adjust the timeline to account for unexpected delays".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a failure to adjust" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific instance or cause of not adapting to a particular situation. This usage is validated by Ludwig AI's analysis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a failure to adjust" is a noun phrase used to describe the lack of adaptation to specific circumstances. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically correct and primarily found in news, scientific, and academic sources. While generally neutral in tone, it often appears in professional contexts where critical analysis is necessary. When using this phrase, clarity is key: always specify what needs adjustment to avoid vagueness. Alternative phrases include "an inability to adapt" or "a lack of adaptation". This phrase is most effective when used precisely to assign a reason for unfavorable outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an inability to adapt

Focuses on the lack of capability to adapt.

a lack of adaptation

Emphasizes the absence of the adaptation process.

a deficiency in adapting

Highlights a specific shortcoming in the ability to adapt.

a refusal to change

Indicates a deliberate choice not to change.

a resistance to modification

Stresses opposition to being modified or altered.

a rigidity in approach

Suggests an inflexibility in the manner of dealing with something.

a stasis in development

Implies a standstill or lack of progress in evolving.

a non-responsiveness to change

Highlights a lack of reaction to necessary alterations.

a defect in flexibility

Points out a specific flaw in being adaptable.

an inflexibility

Conveys a general lack of flexibility or adaptability.

FAQs

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

You can use "a failure to adjust" to describe situations where there is a lack of adaptation. For example, "The company's bankruptcy was due to "a failure to adjust" to changing market conditions".

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

Alternatives include "an inability to adapt", "a lack of adaptation", or "a resistance to change". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "failure to adjust" or "a failure to adjust"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "a failure to adjust" is more specific, implying a particular instance. "Failure to adjust" is more general. The choice depends on the context.

What does it mean to have "a failure to adjust" in a business context?

In a business context, "a failure to adjust" often refers to an inability to adapt to new technologies, changing market trends, or evolving customer needs, often leading to decreased competitiveness or financial losses.