fail to capitalize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to capitalize" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where someone does not take advantage of an opportunity or does not make the most of a situation. Example: "Many companies fail to capitalize on emerging technologies, missing out on potential growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Not only did they fail to capitalize but they also allowed Philadelphia's first goal.

The New York Times - Sports

Even well-run operations that generate strong analysis fail to capitalize on their insights.

Harvard Business Review

Nobody should fail to capitalize on the physical and mental gifts to come.

The New York Times

Even when compatible issues are on the table outcomes that would be pleasing to both parties many negotiators nonetheless fail to capitalize on them.

Harvard University

Though Xerox has been known to fail to capitalize on breakthroughs developed at the research center, Mr. Thoman is taking steps to capitalize on the center's discoveries.

The New York Times

However, Mr. Wilson added, the position forces Mr. Kotick to be highly visible and accountable should Activision fail to capitalize on its position.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

But the Capitals failed to capitalize.

The Washington Post

The Capitals also failed to capitalize on their many opportunities.

The Washington Post

At another, she failed to capitalize on match point.

The New York Times - Sports

He was successful twice, but the Yankees failed to capitalize.

The New York Times - Sports

Per usual, United failed to capitalize on early opportunities.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fail to capitalize" when you want to emphasize the specific act of not converting an opportunity into a tangible benefit or advantage.

Common error

Avoid using "fail to capitalize" when a more general phrase like "missed opportunity" suffices. This phrase implies a specific action that was not taken, not merely the absence of a positive outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to capitalize" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically serving as part of a verb phrase. It indicates a lack of action or inability to leverage an opportunity or resource. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fail to capitalize" is a grammatically sound and useful expression to denote a missed opportunity to gain an advantage. Ludwig AI confirms this. While it's most frequently found in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts, its usage extends to various professional settings. Remember to use this phrase when highlighting a specific inaction or inability to turn an opportunity into a benefit, rather than simply referring to a missed chance in general. Consider alternatives like "miss an opportunity" or "not take advantage of" to vary your language and maintain precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fail to exploit

Very close, but puts a slightly stronger emphasis on the active use of something.

not take advantage of

A more general expression for failing to use an opportunity.

miss an opportunity

Focuses on the lost chance itself rather than the specific action of capitalizing.

miss out on

A simpler, more informal way to express missing an opportunity.

neglect to leverage

Emphasizes the act of not using something to one's advantage.

overlook the chance to

Suggests a failure to recognize an available opportunity.

not maximize the benefit of

Highlights the failure to achieve the greatest possible advantage.

fall short of exploiting

Highlights the inability to fully utilize or benefit from something.

let slip the opportunity

Implies a passive failure to seize a chance.

squander the potential of

Focuses on wasting the inherent possibilities within something.

FAQs

What does "fail to capitalize" mean?

The phrase "fail to capitalize" means to not take advantage of an opportunity or resource to gain a benefit or advantage.

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

You might say, "The company "failed to capitalize" on the new market trend, resulting in lost revenue."

What are some alternatives to "fail to capitalize"?

Alternatives include "miss an opportunity", "neglect to leverage", or "not take advantage of".

Is it better to say "fail to capitalize" or "failed to capitalize"?

The choice depends on the tense of your sentence. Use "fail to capitalize" for present or future scenarios, and "failed to capitalize" for past scenarios.