fail to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to do" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone has not accomplished a task or action. For example: "The team failed to do the job in the allotted time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But some people fail to do this.

The New York Times

Connoisseurs tend to fail to do so.

The New Yorker

Or fail to do it?

The New York Times

When do they fail to do so?

Harvard University

But too many fail to do that.

The Guardian - Opinion

Or they can fail to do so.

Harvard Business Review

You may fail to do the right thing.

The New Yorker

But many commodity-dependent economies fail to do this.

The Economist

Those that fail to do so are fined.

The Economist

However, they often fail to do so in practice.

The Economist

But experts say most schools fail to do so.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fail to do" when you want to clearly state that an expected or required action was not accomplished. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, providing a direct way to express a lack of fulfillment.

Common error

While "fail to do" is versatile, avoid overusing it in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "didn't do" or "couldn't do" may sound more natural in informal settings. Overuse can make your speech sound overly formal or stiff.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to do" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of action or achievement. It is used to express that someone or something did not perform a specific task or meet an expected standard, as Ludwig AI confirms with multiple examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

30%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fail to do" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate the non-performance of an action or the non-fulfillment of a duty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, ranging from formal to informal. While versatile, consider more informal alternatives like "didn't do" in casual conversation to maintain a natural tone. When using "fail to do", ensure it aligns with the intended tense (past or present) and context (omission versus avoidance). Its frequent occurrence in News & Media and Science underscores its wide applicability across diverse domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

omit to do

Highlights the act of leaving something undone or unsaid.

neglect to do

Emphasizes a lack of attention or care in performing the action.

not manage to do

Focuses on the inability to complete the action.

be remiss in doing

Implies negligence or carelessness in not performing the action.

fall short of doing

Suggests an attempt was made but the action was not fully completed.

shirk from doing

Emphasizes avoidance of a responsibility or duty.

decline to do

Focuses on a refusal or unwillingness to perform the action.

fall down on doing

Indicates a failure in fulfilling an expectation or commitment.

miss doing

Highlights an opportunity lost or a duty unfulfilled.

refrain from doing

Indicates a conscious effort to avoid performing the action.

FAQs

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

You can use "fail to do" to indicate that someone or something did not perform an expected or required action. For example: "If they "fail to do so", sanctions will follow."

What are some alternatives to "fail to do"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "neglect to do", "omit to do", or "decline to do".

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

The choice depends on the tense. "Failed to do" refers to a past event, while "fail to do" refers to a present or general situation. For example, "They failed to submit the report on time" (past) versus "Companies that "fail to do this" face considerable risk" (present/general).

What's the difference between "fail to do" and "avoid doing"?

"Fail to do" means not accomplishing something, while "avoid doing" means deliberately preventing oneself from doing something. "Fail to do" implies a lack of success, whereas "avoid doing" suggests a conscious decision to not act.