a failure to react

USAGE SUMMARY

"a failure to react" is correct and can be used in written English.
It indicates that someone has not taken any action in response to something. For example, "His a failure to react to the urgent situation proved to be fatal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

There is increasing unrest over what many see as a failure to react quickly to Boko Haram's mass abduction from a school dormitory in the north-eastern town on 14 April.

The Guardian

Even having been put on notice, the IS was able to kill so many people because of an in ability to anticipate the attacks (which largely exploited soft targets) and a failure to react in a pre-defined manner when the attacks occurred.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

L'immobilisme - basically a pride in the French model and a resulting failure to react to the world outside - began under Francois Mitterrand.

BBC

Brazil exemplifies a government's failure to react properly to a massive social media outburst.

HuffPost

Its chief executive, Piyush Gupta, publicly said Alibaba and Tencent are the biggest competitors, pointing to how the two companies have changed China's banking landscape as a reminder of the failure to react swiftly.

Forbes

A report released on Wednesday by the Marshall Islands, the flag state for the drilling rig that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico last year, says that a review shows that a crew's deviation from established protocol and its failure to react to signs of an imminent blowout were the main factors that led to the disaster.

The New York Times

The office of the inspector general of the Transportation Department, which includes the F.A.A., said in a letter accompanying its audit that the failure to react appropriately to warnings of safety "suggests a systemic weakness in F.A.A.'s process to evaluate safety issues brought to the agency's attention".

The New York Times

However, T cell receptor (TCR) repertoires are often restricted in the process of iPS cell generation, which may result in the failure to react to a broad variety of tumour-associated antigens (TAAs).

Nature

David Martin MEP, Vice Chairman of the EP Intergroup on Animal Welfare, has condemned the European Commission's failure to react to continuing calls for a proposal for an eight-hour maximum transport time for live stock.

European Parliament

An article in Business Day yesterday about Mattel's efforts to revive sales of the Barbie doll referred incorrectly in some copies to the toy-industry analyst who explained how the company's failure to react to trends contributed to a decline in the doll's popularity.

The New York Times

[C6] Correction: February 10 , 2006 Friday An article in Business Day yesterday about Mattel's efforts to revive sales of the Barbie doll referred incorrectly in some copies to the toy-industry analyst who explained how the company's failure to react to trends contributed to a decline in the doll's popularity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a failure to react", ensure the context clearly establishes what the expected or necessary reaction should have been. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid attributing negative outcomes solely to "a failure to react" without acknowledging underlying factors. A more nuanced approach considers contributing circumstances that may have hindered an appropriate reaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a failure to react" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an instance where an expected response or action did not occur. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science & Research

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a failure to react" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote a lack of response or action in a given situation. It is commonly found in news media, formal business contexts, and scientific research. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly specifies the expected reaction. While versatile, avoid oversimplifying complex situations by attributing outcomes solely to this failure without considering contributing factors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a failure to respond

Very similar, but uses the verb form 'respond' instead of 'react'.

a non-response

Directly states that there was no response at all.

a lack of response

Focuses on the absence of any response, rather than the inability to respond effectively.

a delayed reaction

Emphasizes the timing of the reaction, suggesting it was too late.

an inadequate response

Highlights the insufficiency of the reaction, rather than the absence of it.

a state of inaction

Highlights the lack of activity or response to a situation.

a passivity

Indicates a state of inaction or lack of engagement.

a dereliction of duty

Implies a neglect of responsibility to respond.

a lack of initiative

Suggests the absence of proactive measures.

a missed opportunity

Focuses on the lost chance to take action.

FAQs

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

You can use "a failure to react" to describe a situation where someone or something did not respond appropriately to a stimulus or event. For example, "The company's "a failure to react" to the changing market conditions led to significant losses."

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

Some alternatives include "a lack of response", "an inadequate response", or "a failure to respond", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a failure to react" or "a failure to respond"?

Both "a failure to react" and "a failure to respond" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the context and whether you want to emphasize a reaction or a response.

What does "a failure to react" imply?

The phrase "a failure to react" implies that there was an expected or necessary action that was not taken in response to a particular situation or event. It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting negligence or incompetence.