fail to acknowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

"fail to acknowledge" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express that someone did not properly recognize something or give something or someone due credit and acknowledgment. For example: "The company failed to acknowledge the hard work of their employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We should not fail to acknowledge that there is racism.

The New York Times

It is this adaptive and dynamic behaviour that contemporary programmes and policies fail to acknowledge.

Ecological Complexity

Did I fail to acknowledge agreement with the goals, but disagree on the means?

Stanford University

But these adult conversations often fail to acknowledge how we actually feel about money.

The New York Times

But these are impatient gripes that fail to acknowledge how far we've come.

Independent

It's not that they fail to acknowledge the assertiveness of the teen female.

The Guardian - Film

But they fail to acknowledge that these plants could have a significantly lower environmental impact.

The New York Times

They are two worlds that physically touch, but utterly fail to acknowledge each other.

The Guardian - Arts

Union officers consistently fail to acknowledge that inviting speakers is also a matter of responsibility.

The Guardian

But to fail to acknowledge the connection is to risk another kind of offense.

The New Yorker

As long as we fail to acknowledge that, people will continue to come.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Fail to acknowledge" implies a lack of awareness or recognition, which might be unintentional. If intentional, consider "refuse to acknowledge".

Common error

While "fail to acknowledge" is versatile, overuse in formal writing can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "overlook", "disregard", or "neglect to mention" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to acknowledge" functions as a verb phrase expressing a lack of recognition, acceptance, or awareness of something. It indicates that someone or something has not properly recognized or given due credit to a particular fact, situation, or person. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fail to acknowledge" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a lack of recognition or consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, though most prevalent in News & Media, Science, and Academia. When writing, remember that it implies a lack of recognition and consider related phrases such as "refuse to recognize" or "neglect to mention" for nuanced meanings. Be mindful of overuse in formal writing to maintain variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refuse to recognize

Implies a deliberate unwillingness to accept or acknowledge something.

neglect to mention

Suggests an oversight or unintentional omission in acknowledging something.

overlook

Indicates a failure to notice or consider something important.

disregard

Conveys a deliberate act of ignoring or dismissing something.

ignore

Simply means to pay no attention to something.

not take into account

Emphasizes the failure to consider or include something in a calculation or assessment.

turn a blind eye to

Suggests a conscious decision to ignore something, often something negative or problematic.

be oblivious to

Indicates a lack of awareness or understanding of something.

miss

Suggests a failure to notice something obvious.

be unaware of

Indicates a lack of knowledge or consciousness about something.

FAQs

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

You can use "fail to acknowledge" to indicate a lack of recognition or consideration. For example, "The report "failed to acknowledge" the impact of climate change on local communities".

What are some alternatives to "fail to acknowledge"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "overlook", "disregard", "neglect to mention", or "refuse to recognize".

Is it better to use "fail to acknowledge" or "refuse to acknowledge"?

The choice depends on the context. "Fail to acknowledge" suggests a lack of recognition, possibly unintentional. "Refuse to acknowledge" implies a deliberate unwillingness to recognize something.

What's the difference between "fail to acknowledge" and "fail to recognize"?

"Fail to acknowledge" often implies a lack of consideration or appreciation, while "fail to recognize" suggests a lack of identification or awareness. The nuances depend on the situation.