fail to combine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to combine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations where elements do not come together or integrate as intended. Example: "The two components of the project fail to combine effectively, resulting in a lack of cohesion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Ecological Economics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

While current approaches may effectively tackle some of them, they often fail to combine them together.

Ecological Economics

Presently, the principal shortcoming compared to maize besides chilling sensitivity during juvenile development is that current sorghum varieties fail to combine a high dry matter yield with adequate dry matter content for silage and satisfying methane yield.

Biomass and Bioenergy

However, if the SAAD is really to reach the goals that have been set, the design of the new benefits must be based on a profound knowledge of how today's middle-aged women combine (or fail to combine) informal caregiving with doing paid work.

SERIEs

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He has failed to combine with the London exchange in the past, while the rival NYSE Group successfully merged with Euronext.

The New York Times

They failed to combine, failed to score, and particularly failed in soccer intellect!" Given that Holland's best record at a World Cup finals to this point was played one, lost one, achieved not once but twice in the 1930s, you have to admire the chutzpah.

The Guardian - Sport

As a result of all this, the women failed to combine forces to resist the first thing the government did that was seen as an attack - the cut in lone parent benefit.

The Guardian

But it also announced there would be more cash for development projects in Maoist-dominated areas.The government has so far failed to combine the twin requirements of force and development to produce a successful strategy.

The Economist

For years they have failed to combine, though both seek votes from the same sort of people; neither passed the 5% threshold for representation at the last parliamentary election, four years ago.

The Economist

It is the second time in two years that the telecoms companies have failed to combine and create what would be a mobile-phone behemoth stretching across Africa, South Asia and the Middle East.

The Economist

WASHINGTON — The National Security Agency four months ago intercepted conversations among leaders of Al Qaeda in Yemen discussing a plot to use a Nigerian man for a coming terrorist attack, but American spy agencies later failed to combine the intercepts with other information that might have disrupted last week's attempted airline bombing.

The New York Times

To date, rice breeders have generally failed to combine high yields with optimal quality because not all quality traits are defined (Fitzgerald et al. 2009).

Rice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fail to combine", ensure that the context clearly indicates what elements are not successfully coming together and the consequences of this failure.

Common error

Avoid burying the phrase "fail to combine" within overly complex sentence structures. Keep the sentence clear and concise to emphasize the lack of successful integration. For example, instead of "Despite numerous attempts and careful planning, the intricate pieces of the puzzle, unfortunately, failed to combine", try "The pieces failed to combine despite careful planning."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to combine" functions as a verb phrase indicating an inability or lack of success in bringing elements together into a unified whole. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and usable in written English. Examples show its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ecological Economics

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fail to combine" is a grammatically sound and usable verb phrase that describes a lack of integration or merging between elements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is accepted for use in written English. While its frequency is uncommon, it finds use across various contexts, including science, news, and formal writing. When using the phrase, clarity is key: ensure the sentence structure is straightforward and the context clearly identifies the elements that are not successfully coming together.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do not merge

Focuses on the absence of merging, implying separate entities remain distinct.

do not integrate

Emphasizes the lack of integrated functionality or cohesion.

cannot be unified

Highlights the impossibility of achieving a unified state.

do not coalesce

Stresses the absence of a coming-together or forming a single mass.

fall apart

Suggests a disintegration or failure after an attempted combination.

remain separate

Indicates a continued state of being distinct and unjoined.

do not synthesize

Highlights the lack of synthesis, meaning no new unified entity emerges.

lack synergy

Emphasizes the absence of combined action producing a total effect greater than the sum of individual effects.

don't gel

Informal way of saying things are not working out or coming together well.

prove incompatible

Highlights that elements are unsuitable for combination, with a formal nuance.

FAQs

What does "fail to combine" mean?

The phrase "fail to combine" means that two or more things are unable to come together, merge, or integrate effectively. It implies a lack of cohesion or unity.

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

You can use "fail to combine" to describe situations where separate elements do not form a cohesive whole. For example: "The two approaches "do not integrate" effectively, causing project delays."

What are some alternatives to "fail to combine"?

Alternatives to "fail to combine" include "do not merge", "do not integrate", or "cannot be unified". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "fail to combine" or "fails to combine"?

Use "fail to combine" when referring to a plural subject or in general statements. Use "fails to combine" when the subject is singular. For example, "The strategies fail to combine" versus "This strategy fails to combine with others."