fail to engage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to engage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone does not participate or connect with a person, group, or activity. Example: "The presentation was dull, and many attendees seemed to fail to engage with the speaker's message."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Every year, some students fail to engage with their course or institution.

The Guardian

Nor would it be correct to say that they fail to engage our deeper concerns.

The New York Times

If they fail to engage, they have to pay a fine.

The Guardian - Opinion

If they fail to engage with rehabilitiation efforts they can be sent to prison.

The Guardian

These criticisms fail to engage with the interests at stake or to consider creative solutions.

The Guardian - Tech

*** There are many reasons why migrant women might fail to engage with health services.

The Guardian

Those who fail to engage with rehabilitation efforts can then be sent to prison.

The Guardian

This minimalist approach to design could not fail to engage a wide audience.

The Guardian

And when we fail to engage those people, innovation and creativity lag.

MIT Technology Review

When our attention is actively engaged, we aren't bored; when we fail to engage, boredom sets in.

The New Yorker

Organizations that try to make menial tasks fun "will ultimately fail to engage their target audience," says Burke.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "fail to engage" with alternatives like "neglect to participate" or "not connect" to add nuance to your writing and avoid repetition.

Common error

While acceptable, repeatedly using "fail to engage" in formal writing can sound monotonous. Vary your phrasing by using stronger, more descriptive verbs that capture the specific reason for disengagement. For instance, instead of saying 'The audience failed to engage with the presentation', try 'The audience remained uninterested in the presentation'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to engage" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of participation, connection, or active involvement. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, commonly used to describe situations where individuals or entities do not connect with or participate in something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fail to engage" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase used to express a lack of participation, connection, or involvement. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct to use in formal writing. It's frequently found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, demonstrating its broad applicability. While acceptable, remember to consider the specific reason for disengagement and replace the phrase with stronger more descriptive verbs to improve the effectiveness of your writing. Consider related alternatives like "neglect to participate" and "not connect" for nuance and to avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not participate

A simple and direct way to express a lack of participation.

neglect to participate

Emphasizes a lack of active involvement or participation.

not connect

A more concise way of expressing a lack of connection or rapport.

decline to connect

Focuses on the refusal or inability to form a meaningful connection.

disengage from

Focuses on the act of withdrawing or separating oneself from something.

miss out on involving

Highlights the lost opportunity to include or involve someone or something.

avoid becoming involved

Stresses the deliberate act of steering clear of engagement.

refrain from interacting

Highlights the conscious decision to abstain from interaction.

prove unable to involve

Indicates an inability or lack of capacity to engage or involve.

fall short of involving

Indicates a failure to meet the required level of engagement or involvement.

FAQs

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

You can use "fail to engage" to describe a lack of participation or connection. For example, "If students "fail to engage" with the material, they may not succeed in the course."

What are some alternatives to "fail to engage"?

Alternatives include "neglect to participate", "decline to connect", or "not participate", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it better to use "fail to engage with" or "fail to engage in"?

Both "fail to engage with" and "fail to engage in" are grammatically correct, but "fail to engage with" is often used when referring to people or ideas, while "fail to engage in" is used when referring to activities or processes.

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

When something "fails to engage", it means it does not capture attention, stimulate interest, or encourage participation. It suggests a lack of connection or involvement.