fail to capture

USAGE SUMMARY

"fail to capture" is a correct and usable phrase in written English, and it can be used in many different contexts.
For example, "The artist attempted to capture the beauty of the landscape, but his painting failed to capture the essence of the scene."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Your photographs fail to capture her spunk and pride.

The New York Times - Magazine

Above all, they fail to capture the destruction and injustice.

The New York Times

Deadlines proposed by his record company, Motown Records, frequently fail to capture his imagination.

The New Yorker

But even those charges fail to capture the unusual breadth of his criminal career.

The New Yorker

Such sober formulas fail to capture the roiling transcendental longings of a Kandinsky or a Schoenberg.

The New Yorker

"Market share" stories are exciting, but they often fail to capture the reality on the ground.

The Guardian - Tech

What the income figures fail to capture is the relative weakness of Greece's economic institutions.

The New York Times

In particular, thin cells fail to capture much light at the red end of the spectrum.

The Economist

But the numbers fail to capture the variation within the sexual histories.

The New York Times - Magazine

(Researchers acknowledged that the results might fail to capture their true essences because of the lack of bushy facial hair).

The New York Times

The risk is all the more acute because national accounts often fail to capture local firms' exposure.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fail to capture", ensure that the subject attempting the capture and the object of the capture are clearly defined within the sentence. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "fail to capture" with an overly broad or undefined subject. Instead of saying "Technology fails to capture the human experience", specify which technological applications or methods are inadequate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to capture" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of success in accurately representing or attaining something. As Ludwig AI explains, it highlights an inability to adequately convey a particular aspect or quality. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in diverse contexts, from evaluating artistic representations to assessing the effectiveness of scientific models.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fail to capture" is a versatile and commonly used expression that signifies an inability to accurately represent or attain something. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently in diverse contexts, especially in Science and News & Media. While alternatives like "fall short of capturing" or "be unable to capture" exist, "fail to capture" maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal settings. A key writing tip is to ensure clarity by specifying both the subject attempting the capture and the object being captured. By avoiding vague subjects, writers can enhance the precision and impact of their message when using the phrase "fail to capture".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be unable to capture

Directly states the inability to capture, focusing on the lack of capacity or means.

not succeed in capturing

Focuses on the lack of success in the act of capturing, indicating an unsuccessful attempt.

fall short of capturing

Emphasizes the idea of not fully reaching the goal of capturing something, suggesting a slight deficiency.

miss the mark in capturing

Highlights the failure to achieve the intended target or outcome in capturing something.

be unsuccessful in portraying

Specifically relates to portraying or representing something, highlighting the lack of success in that endeavor.

prove inadequate to reflect

Suggests that something has been shown to be insufficient in reflecting a particular aspect or quality.

be deficient in representing

Implies a lack or inadequacy in the representation of something.

lack the ability to depict

Focuses on the absence of the necessary skill or capacity to depict something accurately.

struggle to convey

Emphasizes the effort and difficulty involved in trying to convey a particular idea or feeling.

offer an incomplete representation of

Highlights that representation is partial or not thorough.

FAQs

What does "fail to capture" mean?

The phrase "fail to capture" means to be unsuccessful in representing, expressing, or recording something accurately or completely. It suggests that an attempt has been made, but it has not achieved the desired result.

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

You can use "fail to capture" to describe situations where something is not adequately represented. For example, "The photograph "failed to capture" the beauty of the sunset", or "Existing models "are unable to capture" the complexity of the human brain".

What are some alternatives to "fail to capture"?

Some alternatives to "fail to capture" include "fall short of capturing", "miss the mark in capturing", or "be unable to capture", depending on the context.

Is "fail to capture" formal or informal?

"Fail to capture" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness largely depends on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.