a failure to confront

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a failure to confront" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone does not address or deal with an issue or problem. Example: "The team's lack of progress was largely due to a failure to confront the underlying issues affecting their performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This can result in a failure to confront hard issues, mediocre performance and untapped potential.

The New York Times

A failure to confront the nation's dependence on foreign oil, deal with the rising cost of health care or find a solution to the decline of American schools contributed to the place the country finds itself in, Mr. Obama said.

The New York Times

That problem is institutional racism - and a failure to confront it head-on is why several white politicians have received critical reactions recently when they told audiences that "all lives matter".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

One thing the emails make clear: The state government's abject failure to confront a clear crisis in a responsible, effective way.

Los Angeles Times

Mr. Romney cites it as evidence of the president's persistent failure to confront a sluggish economy.

The New York Times

The Cloyne Report is Ireland's fourth on the pedophilia scandal since 1994, when the government fell over the state's failure to confront a known pedophile priest.

The New York Times

If he loses this election – which is not likely, but still possible – it will be due to his failure to confront Romney on an issue that is most important to senior citizens, the only age group where he is losing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Wilders is a man obsessed with one idea: Holland's failure to confront the Islamist threat.

The New Yorker

Failure to confront these difficult lessons is a problem, as is casting them as tales of oppression without a sense of civic engagement, according to the SPLC's Maureen Costello.

Vice

What appears on our TV screens as a sudden emergency is really the culmination of years of failure to confront Syria's bloody collapse.

The Guardian - Opinion

As Lepore points out, end-of-life care constitutes a vast proportion of annual medical expenditures, but the generalized failure to confront the implications of real costs on moral grounds is an invitation to posturing, or even demagoguery.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a failure to confront", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific issue or problem is not being addressed. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a failure to confront" without specifying what is being avoided. Vague usage can weaken the statement and leave the audience unsure of the core issue. Always provide a specific object or problem following the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a failure to confront" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the state or instance of not addressing a particular issue. Ludwig AI validates this use, providing examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a failure to confront" is a grammatically correct and understandable noun phrase used to describe situations where issues are not addressed. Ludwig AI confirms its validity with real-world examples, primarily from news and media sources. While not extremely common, it is a useful phrase for expressing critique or analysis in both neutral and professional contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the issue being avoided. Related phrases include "neglecting to address" and "avoidance of addressing", providing alternative ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neglecting to address

Emphasizes the act of overlooking or disregarding an issue.

avoidance of addressing

Highlights the deliberate act of steering clear of a topic or problem.

inability to face

Focuses on the lack of capacity or courage to deal with something.

reluctance to tackle

Indicates a hesitation or unwillingness to engage with a problem.

evasion of confronting

Suggests a strategic attempt to dodge or sidestep an issue.

defaulting on addressing

Implies a neglect of duty or responsibility to handle a matter.

omission of addressing

Highlights the act of leaving out or excluding consideration of a subject.

lack of engagement with

Emphasizes the absence of interaction or involvement with an issue.

passivity in confronting

Shows a lack of active response or initiative in dealing with a problem.

ignoring the need to address

Implies a deliberate overlooking of the necessity to deal with something.

FAQs

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

You can use "a failure to confront" to describe a situation where someone or something avoids dealing with a problem. For example, "The company's lack of progress was due to "a failure to confront" the underlying issues.".

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

Alternatives include "neglecting to address", "avoidance of addressing", or "inability to face", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Both are grammatically correct, but "a failure to confront" is generally used when you're referring to a specific instance or example of failing to address something. "Failure to confront" is more general.

What does it imply when someone has "a failure to confront"?

It implies that there is a problem or issue that is being deliberately or unintentionally avoided, which can lead to negative consequences.