fail to convey

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to convey" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations where a message, feeling, or idea is not successfully communicated or expressed. Example: "The author's attempt to describe the character's emotions seemed to fail to convey the depth of her sorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

What do the images fail to convey?

The New Yorker

But they fail to convey the human toll.

The New York Times

Many of these terms, however, fail to convey the essential features of the phenomena.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To fail to convey the meaning one intends by one's words.

The New Yorker

Snapshots of officers atop piles of impounded narcotics fail to convey the urgency of battle.

The New York Times - Books

Turner recently criticized journalists who fail to convey a sense of "covering the news from an unbiased" perspective.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

For hours, L.I.R.R. employees failed to convey information.

The New York Times

The tony Beacon Hill backdrop failed to convey any class.

The New York Times - Travel

But I think he fails to convey the full incoherence of the current hard-money position.

The New York Times

This nursery rhyme fails to convey the true nightmare of bedbugs.

Britannica

Yet he has failed to convey any overarching vision; his initiatives aren't centrally connective.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fail to convey", consider the specific reason for the failure in communication. Is it a lack of clarity, inadequate language, or something else? Tailor your sentence to reflect the underlying cause for a more precise message.

Common error

While "fail to convey" is useful, avoid overuse. Vary your language by using synonyms like "fall short of expressing" or "miss the mark in communicating" to maintain reader engagement and add nuance to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to convey" functions as a verb phrase, typically indicating a lack of successful communication or expression. Ludwig shows that it's used to describe when words, images, or other forms of communication do not adequately transmit the intended message.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fail to convey" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a lack of successful communication, as validated by Ludwig. It is grammatically sound and commonly found in diverse contexts like News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. Although quite frequent, writers should vary their phrasing by considering synonyms such as "fall short of expressing" or "miss the mark in communicating" to avoid repetition. The Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of the phrase in written English, highlighting its effectiveness in situations where a message or idea is not adequately communicated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall short of expressing

This alternative suggests a lack of complete or adequate expression.

miss the mark in communicating

This phrase indicates a failure to effectively communicate a message.

be unable to articulate

This focuses on the speaker's inability to express something clearly.

prove inadequate to express

This suggests that the means of expression are insufficient.

not get across

This is a more informal way of saying something isn't understood.

leave unexpressed

This highlights that something remains unsaid or uncommunicated.

struggle to impart

This indicates a difficulty in sharing or communicating information.

lack the power to communicate

This emphasizes a deficiency in the ability to communicate effectively.

not fully capture

This alternative suggests that the message does not represent the whole of the sentiment or idea that the subject wants to express.

be a poor representation of

This alternative emphasizes the subject's lack of quality when explaining a topic or sentiment.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "fails to convey"?

When something "fails to convey", it means it does not successfully communicate a particular meaning, feeling, or idea. It suggests that the intended message is not getting across effectively.

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

You can use "fail to convey" to describe shortcomings in communication. For example: "The statistics "fail to capture" the human cost of the disaster." or "His words "fell short of expressing" his true feelings."

What are some alternatives to "fail to convey"?

Some alternatives include "not express", "does not communicate", "does not get across", or "fall short of expressing". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "fail to convey" in formal writing?

"Fail to convey" is suitable for formal writing when you need to express that something lacks the ability to communicate effectively. Ensure that the tone and context align with the level of formality required.