fail to answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to answer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone did not provide a response to a question or request. Example: "Despite multiple attempts to reach him, he continued to fail to answer my emails."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Here is Glück as Penelope, doing some soul-searching: Whose most demonic appetite could you possibly fail to answer?

The New Yorker

Yet too often we fail to answer some crucial questions: What is the quality of our care?

The New York Times - Health

Even the best performing centres in Blackburn, Paisley and Grimsby fail to answer one in five calls.

The Guardian

It is hard to see how any nominee worthy of the position of attorney general could fail to answer "yes".

The New York Times

After the meeting, Willis said: "It is enormously disappointing when the heads of institutions persistently fail to answer questions.

The Guardian

I have already experienced the deaths of each of my loved ones at least 10 times over whenever they fail to answer the phone.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Three times, and he failed to answer.

The New Yorker

Manhattan never fails to answer the bell.

The Guardian - Film

Jot down some questions the story fails to answer.

The Guardian - Books

Chavez failed to answer the bell in the ninth round.

The New York Times - Sports

Again he failed to answer the question directly.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fail to answer" when you want to emphasize the inability or omission to provide a response, particularly in situations where a response is expected or required.

Common error

In casual conversations, consider simpler alternatives like "didn't answer" or "didn't reply". Using "fail to answer" can sometimes sound overly formal or critical in everyday interactions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to answer" functions as a verb phrase, typically serving as the predicate of a clause. It indicates a lack of response or an inability to provide an answer to a question, request, or inquiry. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, emphasizing either negligence or inability to respond.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fail to answer" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase, predominantly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, according to Ludwig. It indicates a lack of response, whether due to inability or unwillingness. While versatile, it's more appropriate for neutral to formal settings, where the emphasis is on the absence of a response rather than an intentional refusal. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this expression, providing numerous examples demonstrating its usage in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. Related phrases include alternatives like "not respond" and "decline to answer", each with slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not provide an answer

More descriptive; focuses on the absence of an answer.

not respond

Simple lack of response; more general than failing specifically to answer a question.

decline to answer

Indicates a refusal to answer, often deliberately.

refuse to respond

Emphasizes a strong unwillingness to provide a response.

omit to reply

Formal and implies a deliberate choice to not reply.

leave unanswered

Focuses on the state of the question remaining without an answer.

neglect to reply

Implicates a carelessness or forgetfulness in not responding.

evade the question

Implies avoiding the question rather than directly refusing to answer.

disregard the inquiry

Suggests ignoring the question or request entirely.

miss the question

Implies the person unintentionally did not provide any answer to the question.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "fail to answer" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "omit to reply", "decline to answer", or "refuse to respond". These alternatives often imply a deliberate choice or a higher degree of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "fail to answer"?

It's suitable in professional, academic, or formal contexts when you want to highlight the lack of response to a question or inquiry. For example, "The report fails to answer the fundamental questions about the budget."

What's a simpler way to say "fail to answer" in casual conversation?

In informal settings, you can use phrases like "didn't answer", "didn't reply", or "ignored the question". These are more relaxed and common in everyday speech.

Is there a difference between "fail to answer" and "refuse to answer"?

"Fail to answer" generally indicates a lack of response, regardless of intent. "Refuse to answer", on the other hand, implies a deliberate decision not to provide an answer. The former can be due to oversight or inability, while the latter is a conscious choice.