fail to attach

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to attach" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something was not included or connected, often in the context of documents or files. Example: "Please ensure that you do not fail to attach the necessary documents when submitting your application."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Hopefully this will fix a bug (on Vista, UAC off, non-protected install) where apps fail to attach to shmem.

University of California, Berkeley

The roles of oolemmal lipid raft microdomains enriched in the ganglioside GM1 and the tetraspanin protein CD9 were investigated as causative agents in fertilization failure in human IVF where spermatozoa progress to the oolemma but fail to attach or, if attached, to penetrate.

Reproductive BioMedicine Online

Quinean criteria, however, by focusing only on the values of the (individual) variables, have been accused of being ontologically biased against realism about properties or universals because they fail to attach ontological significance to the predicate.[22] Consider '∃x Swims(x)'.

SEP

After all, the sole purpose of their existence is to "protect and serve". Unfortunately, the verbs included in that missive so often fail to attach to the proper nouns.

HuffPost

Where LFA-1 binding to α-actinin-1 is prevented, the cells fail to attach and spread, although the T cell membrane continues to protrude.

EMBO Journal

In Drosophila Wnt2 mutants, flight muscles are lost or fail to attach to their epidermal targets during adult thoracic muscle formation [ 72].

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

This indicates misaligned chromosomes in GAK-depleted cells have either failed to attach to microtubules or are unable to maintain microtubule attachments, but alignment defects are unlikely due to a failure to release incorrectly attached microtubules.

Chromosoma

In five of the matters, documents show, the firm used inaccurate information about defaults or failed to attach proper documentation when it moved to seize borrowers' homes.

The New York Times

A stagehand at Continental Airlines Arena fell 20 feet from a ladder to his death Sunday night, after he apparently failed to attach a safety harness properly, officials said.

The New York Times

It was not clear, however, whether Trump understood him; the president failed to attach the earpiece of his translation device until after Abe's opening statement.

The Washington Post

He died as he fell from the moving truck to which he had failed to attach himself securely close to the Tunnel entrance at Coquelles.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fail to attach", ensure the context clearly indicates what is not being attached and why. Providing specific details enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While acceptable, "fail to attach" can sometimes sound less formal than alternatives like "omit to include" or "neglect to affix", especially in professional or academic contexts. Consider your audience and choose the most appropriate phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to attach" primarily functions as a verb phrase expressing the inability or omission to connect or affix something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. Examples show its usage in various contexts, from technical descriptions to news reports.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fail to attach" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase, indicating a lack of connection or inclusion. Ludwig AI validates its usability in various contexts. Predominantly found in science and news media, it serves to report or describe a lack of attachment, often highlighting a problem. While generally neutral in register, careful consideration of formality is advised in professional or academic settings. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying what is not being attached and why. For variety, alternatives like "omit to connect" or "neglect to affix" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neglect to affix

Focuses on the act of neglecting to attach, rather than the inability to do so.

omit to connect

Emphasizes the lack of connection due to omission.

miss to secure

Highlights the failure to properly secure something.

unable to fasten

Indicates a lack of ability to fasten something, focusing on the action.

struggle to adhere

Suggests difficulty in getting something to stick or attach.

cannot be joined

Highlights the impossibility of joining two things together.

refuse to bond

Implies an active rejection of bonding or attaching.

not stick

A simpler, more informal way of expressing the failure to attach.

become unglued

Focuses on a previous attachment that has now failed.

detach

A single verb suggesting the opposite action of attaching.

FAQs

What does "fail to attach" mean?

The phrase "fail to attach" means to not connect, affix, or include something. It often implies a missed or unsuccessful attempt to join or include items together.

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

You can use alternatives like "omit to connect", "neglect to affix", or "miss to secure" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "failed to attach" or "did not attach"?

"Failed to attach" implies an attempt was made but was unsuccessful. "Did not attach" is more neutral and simply states that no attachment occurred. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How to use "fail to attach" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "The harpoons "failed to attach" to the comet's surface, causing the probe to bounce." Use "fail to attach" to show that something was not connected or included.