fail to accommodate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to accommodate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations where someone or something does not provide the necessary support or adjustments for a person or group. Example: "The company may face legal consequences if they fail to accommodate employees with disabilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

It will not be easy.Iraq will disappoint, as the once-ruling Sunni minority and the Shia majority now in charge fail to accommodate each other's demands.

The Economist

Gnaulati suggests that clinicians and teachers, many of whom are women, fail to accommodate "traditionally masculine" behavior, and, on the margins, pathologize it.

The New Yorker

Once again, the finger points at a government unwilling - or unable - to make adequate response to the increasing problem of homelessness, and to the planners of our cities who fail to accommodate the real needs of pedestrians.

Independent

As The World in 2012 presciently observed, with a fair degree of understatement:Iraq will disappoint, as the once-ruling Sunni minority and the Shia majority now in charge fail to accommodate each other's demands.

The Economist

Here too "common sense" policing initiatives often fail to accommodate the culturally specific nature of who we regard as a child and what we think of as pornography, making global policing problematic.

The Guardian

But they suggested the ways in which even the most accessible restaurants — and Buddakan, make no mistake, is in this estimable club — fail to accommodate disabled diners as well as they do the rest of us.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

There were more people in the city every day, and yet the city never failed to accommodate them.

The New Yorker

This leads to the proposition that the traditional security paradigm based on national security fails to accommodate such a triangulation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Employees from Time Warner rebelled, complaining that the system failed to accommodate large digital images and sometimes lost messages.

The New York Times

"The court seems to have interpreted the law in a way that fails to accommodate the needs of the changing work force," she said.

The New York Times

BUSINESS DAY, PAGE C1 Religion at Military Academy An Air Force panel found that officers and faculty members at the Air Force Academy periodically used their positions to promote Christian beliefs and failed to accommodate the religious needs of non-Christian cadets.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fail to accommodate", clearly specify what is not being accommodated and who or what is affected. This adds clarity and strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "fail to accommodate" without providing specific details. Instead of saying "The system fails to accommodate", specify which system and what it fails to accommodate. For example, "The software fails to accommodate users with visual impairments" is much more informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to accommodate" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of not providing something necessary or suitable. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fail to accommodate" is a versatile verb phrase used to express a lack of provision or adjustment, often with negative implications. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed in both formal and informal contexts. When writing, clarity is crucial: specify what or whom is not being accommodated to strengthen your statement. Be aware of the distinction between "fail to accommodate", which indicates a lack of ability, and "refuse to accommodate", which suggests a deliberate choice. Related phrases such as "neglect to provide" or "do not meet the needs of" can offer alternative ways to express similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neglect to provide

Replaces "fail" with "neglect", emphasizing a lack of attention or responsibility in providing accommodations.

do not meet the needs of

Focuses on unmet needs rather than the failure to accommodate, shifting the emphasis to the recipient's perspective.

fall short of expectations

Highlights the discrepancy between expected accommodations and the actual outcome.

are unable to adjust

Emphasizes the inability or lack of capacity to make necessary adjustments.

prove insufficient for

Indicates that existing provisions are inadequate to meet specific requirements.

cannot adapt to

Highlights the lack of flexibility in adapting to specific needs or circumstances.

do not cater to

Focuses on the lack of specific provisions or services designed for a particular group or need.

are not equipped for

Suggests a lack of resources or preparedness to provide necessary accommodations.

disregard the requirements of

Emphasizes a deliberate oversight of someone's necessities.

overlook the necessities of

Implies failing to consider essential needs, often unintentionally.

FAQs

How can I use "fail to accommodate" in a sentence?

You can use "fail to accommodate" to describe situations where someone or something does not provide the necessary support or adjustments. For example, "The school "failed to accommodate" the student's disability".

What can I say instead of "fail to accommodate"?

Alternatives include "neglect to provide", "do not meet the needs of", or "fall short of expectations" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "fails to accommodate" or "failed to accommodate"?

The choice depends on the tense of your sentence. Use "fails to accommodate" for present tense and "failed to accommodate" for past tense. For example, "The policy fails to accommodate current needs" versus "The policy "failed to accommodate" past requests".

What's the difference between "fail to accommodate" and "refuse to accommodate"?

"Fail to accommodate" implies a lack of ability or oversight, while "refuse to accommodate" suggests a deliberate denial. For example, a building might "fail to accommodate" wheelchair users due to poor design, whereas a business might "refuse to accommodate" religious practices due to policy.