fail to know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to know" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a lack of awareness or understanding about a particular subject or situation. Example: "Many people fail to know the importance of regular exercise for maintaining good health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

And who, after the rare scream that Ocean allows himself on this track, knowing all that we know about him, can fail to know that it is real?

The New York Times - Magazine

I asked him how anyone could fail to know.

The New Yorker

"No one who comes to Venezuela will fail to know it," Mr. Sesto said.

The New York Times

How could anyone fail to know the fans were blameless in 1989?

The Guardian

To fail to know and honour limits is to bring about needless pain and suffering, and eventually even murder.

Yale University

I thought I knew it all, thought I'd heard enough horror stories and seen enough people fail to know that I could skirt round the potholes.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"There she is … how could I have failed to know this?" Who is it?

The New Yorker

Failing to know when to make a decision without all the right information and when to wait for more advice.

Harvard Business Review

You might have failed to know what your fire was doing at all times (the second fire order) or to keep informed about fire weather (the first).

The New York Times

He never failed to know a name, a rank or a date or to have another funny or barely related side note.

The Washington Post

What I failed to know before is clearer now, filtered up through time, an experience belonging to no one else, not remotely, no one, anyone, ever.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fail to know" when you want to emphasize a lack of knowledge or understanding, particularly when the information should have been known or was readily available.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "fail to know" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "not know" or "be unaware" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to know" functions as a verb phrase expressing a lack of knowledge or understanding. It signifies a deficiency in awareness, often implying a responsibility to have known something. Ludwig examples show the phrase used in various contexts, indicating its adaptability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fail to know" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to express a lack of knowledge or understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, primarily in News & Media, Science, and Academia. While "fail to know" isn't incorrect, alternatives like "be unaware of" or "not realize" may be more appropriate in informal settings. Remember that this phrase implies a stronger sense of negligence, suggesting a responsibility to have known something, providing a nuanced way to express a deficiency in awareness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be unaware of

Emphasizes a lack of awareness regarding a specific fact or situation.

not realize

Highlights a lack of comprehension or understanding.

remain ignorant of

Suggests a continued state of unawareness, often implying a lack of effort to learn.

be oblivious to

Indicates a complete lack of awareness, often of something obvious or important.

miss the significance of

Focuses on a failure to understand the importance or relevance of something.

overlook

Suggests a failure to notice something, often due to carelessness or inattention.

be blind to

Implies a willful or stubborn refusal to acknowledge something.

not appreciate

Focuses on a failure to value or recognize the importance of something.

be unconscious of

Emphasizes a lack of conscious awareness.

be unenlightened about

Suggests a lack of knowledge or understanding, often implying a need for education.

FAQs

What does "fail to know" mean?

The phrase "fail to know" means to lack awareness or understanding of something. It suggests a deficiency in knowledge or a failure to grasp information that may be important or readily available.

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

You can use "fail to know" in sentences like: "Many people "fail to realize" the importance of proper nutrition" or "He "was unaware of" the risks involved in the experiment because he failed to know the safety protocols."

What are some alternatives to "fail to know"?

Alternatives to "fail to know" include phrases like "be unaware of", "not realize", "remain ignorant of", or "be oblivious to", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "fail to know" or "not know"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "fail to know" implies a stronger sense of negligence or responsibility for not knowing something. "Not know" is a more neutral statement of a lack of knowledge. Choose the phrase that best fits the context and the intended emphasis.