a failure to answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a failure to answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone has not responded to a question or request, indicating a lack of response. Example: "The committee expressed concern over a failure to answer the inquiries submitted by the stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The chief executive of HM Revenue and Customs is to step down after four years in which she faced fierce criticism over a failure to answer millions of calls from the public and the HSBC tax scandal.

The Guardian

The major reasons for not screening included a stated lack of interest in the study (n = 37), a failure to answer screening calls after initial contact (n = 30), and an unwillingness or inability to travel to a study site (n = 10).

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

BSGR, Touré said, will soon be summoned to appear at an oral hearing before the committee because of an alleged failure to answer properly a series of written questions to the latter's satisfaction.

The Guardian

RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT The court ruled that a suspect's failure to answer a police officer's questions before an arrest may be used against the suspect at trial.

The New York Times

The right to silence was already restricted by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (Sections 34-38), which enables a court, if it wishes and in certain circumstances, to draw an adverse inference from a defendant's failure to answer questions on any charge.

The Guardian - Opinion

The second case, Salinas v. Texas, No. 12-246, addresses a major open question in the court's Fifth Amendment jurisprudence: May the failure to answer a police officer's questions before an arrest be used against a defendant at trial?

The New York Times

That report focused on the Railway Ministry's failure to answer a series of questions about the crash.

The New York Times

Ms. Pressly's failure to answer a wake-up call early on the morning of Oct. 20 prompted her mother to drive to her home.

The New York Times

He had met Ms Giffords before and been offended by her failure to answer a nonsensical question he had put to her.

The Economist

Since then, frustration has grown among German parliamentarians over Washington's failure to answer a list of questions submitted in the wake of the scandal, such as whether Merkel's phonecalls had been monitored from the roof of the American embassy, as reports have indicated.

The Guardian

Obama's team has slammed Romney on his desire to "get rid of" funding for Planned Parenthood and his failure to answer a question about whether he would have signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a failure to answer", ensure the context clearly indicates what question or request was not answered to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a failure to answer" when the lack of response is due to technical issues rather than a deliberate choice or oversight. Instead, describe the technical problem directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a failure to answer" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an instance where a response is not provided. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a failure to answer" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes a lack of response to a question or request. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for use in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, primarily in news and scientific domains, indicating a neutral to formal register. When employing this phrase, clarity and context are crucial to ensure the reader understands what specific query remains unanswered. Related phrases, such as "a lack of response" or "an unanswered question", can be used as alternatives depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a lack of response

Highlights the absence of a reply, using more general terms.

the absence of a response

Similar to "a lack of response" but uses a more formal tone.

no answer provided

States directly that an answer was not given, differing in its declarative style.

a non-response

Emphasizes the absence of a reply, differing in its directness and brevity.

a failure to address

Focuses on the lack of engagement with an issue or question.

an unanswered question

Focuses on the question itself not receiving a response.

a refusal to respond

Indicates a deliberate choice not to answer, implying resistance or unwillingness.

an omission of a reply

Highlights the act of leaving out or neglecting to provide a reply.

a silence on the matter

Suggests a complete absence of communication, often implying secrecy or evasion.

a neglect to reply

Implies oversight or negligence in not providing an answer.

FAQs

What does "a failure to answer" mean?

The phrase "a failure to answer" refers to a situation where someone does not provide a response to a question, request, or communication. It indicates a lack of reply, which can be due to various reasons, such as oversight, unwillingness, or inability.

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

Alternatives include "a lack of response", "a non-response", or "an unanswered question" depending on the specific context.

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

You can use "a failure to answer" to describe a situation where someone did not reply. For example, "The investigation was hindered by the witness's a failure to answer the investigator's questions".

What implications does "a failure to answer" have in legal contexts?

In legal settings, "a failure to answer" can have significant implications. For example, in court, a defendant's "refusal to respond" or failure to adequately answer questions can be used against them under certain circumstances.